Wholesale Beginnings

Manitoulin Transport was originally incorporated as Smith's Wholesale (Manitoulin) Limited in 1953. Operating as a grocery wholesaler on Manitoulin Island in Northern Ontario, Manitoulin also hauled produce and dry goods. In 1960 with the sale of the wholesale business to National Grocers Limited and the acquisition of Hills Transport, Smith's Wholesale began operating as Manitoulin Transport with a class A license to haul LTL and TL freight between Toronto and points on Manitoulin Island. Throughout the 1960's, 70's and 80's, the service grew to include most points in Northeastern Ontario, Northwestern Quebec, and Southern Quebec. Over the years an extensive terminal network was established through acquisition and by constructing new facilities.

A History of Strong Growth

In January 1991 Manitoulin purchased Lakehead Freightways, based in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Lakehead Freightways serviced most points in Northwestern Ontario west to Winnipeg, including service to and from Toronto. Subsequent to the purchase, new terminals were constructed in Thunder Bay and Dryden.

In March 1992, Manitoulin purchased Jet Transport Ltd. Based in Cambridge, Ontario and with five terminals in Southwestern Ontario, Jet serviced all points in Southwestern Ontario, as well as provided cross border service to the areas of Buffalo, Detroit, and Port Huron. In May 1995, a terminal was acquired in St. Catharines, Ontario in order to enhance our presence in the Niagara Region.

Cartage Capabilities for Toronto and Montreal

Motor Express Toronto and Motor Express Montreal are local cartage operations dedicated to providing city pickup and delivery service as well as the rental of dock space, doors, and offices to a number of shippers and transportation companies.

United States Coverage

Manitoulin International maintains strategic alliances with several major carriers in the U.S. in order to bring our customers dependable, continental U.S. coverage .  These carriers, like Manitoulin, are dedicated to providing superior less-than-truckload service for their customers.

Freight Forwarders

Manitoulin Logistics offers truckload logistics service for cost conscious customers with diverse service and equipment needs. Over the years, Manitoulin Logistics has evolved in order to provide our customers with freight management solutions including over-dimensional shipments, expedites and 24/7 operations.

Western Canada Service

In March 1997, Direct service was offered to and from Edmonton and Calgary in Alberta. In July 1997, through the acquisition of Pacific Northwest Carriers based in Surrey, British Columbia, service was extended to Vancouver.  In September 2001, Manitoulin launched its very successful Western Canada Intermodal service.

It was also in the fall of 2001 that Manitoulin expanded its Western Canada coverage by joining operations with Northwest Transport, providing superior service to the British Columbia interior, the Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Nunavut.

Through the years, Manitoulin Transport has slowly grown to what it is today - Canada's largest freight management provider, with more Direct Canadian service points than any other LTL carrier in North America.   Go to Top