Mother’s Day. The Victoria Day long weekend. The busiest weeks of the year. Last week more than 80 trucks in a single day out of our Alberta location. Today the record broken again: more than 90.
A strong season starts long before the first truck leaves the dock. Every year we invest heavily in making the next season better. Months of preparation, planning, (lean) projects, new software, strong partnerships, recruiting close to 600 merchandisers in a short ramp-up window, etc. The ‘get ‘r done’ mentality is the strength of this company. Data and preparation turn that drive into leadership. That mentality runs through the entire operation and is the reason problems get solved, that people go the extra mile when the season demands it. Preparation doesn’t replace that drive. It gives that drive direction. And that requires leadership at every level.
But preparation before season is never a guarantee. Weather in Canada, especially on the prairies, is unpredictable. This season no different. This morning the forecast showed sunshine for the long weekend. A few hours later: cold and even snow. And so the planning shifts once more. Logistics availability tightens when fuel prices rise during the busiest weeks of the season. With oil prices at this level, some transportation companies choose the highest bidder over previously made agreements. Every season throws curveballs nobody planned for.
