Winter 2020
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Caveman Transport Ltd. is a progressive trucking company, based in Lethbridge, AB, that has built its strong reputation on its offerings

– transporting freight across Canada and the U.S. – and exceptional customer service at competitive prices.

Operating under their motto, “We’re proud of what we do here,” Caveman Transport Ltd.’s team works hard to ensure that customers are served, employees are safe and equipment is maintained.

Western Canada Highway News had the opportunity to connect with Tim Ingraham, Chief Financial Officer, and Cindy Groten, Director of Sales of Caveman Transport Ltd. and learn about the company’s 30-year mark in the business and how service and safety are made a priority within the team.

Tim explains that Caveman Transport Ltd. is a maxi carrier that hauls heavier weight than trailers, tridems and tandems, primarily in western Canada and mid-western/pacific states in the U.S. The company originated in Creston, BC, by Cindy’s uncle, who started off with three trucks and expanded slowly from there. After two years, the business relocated to Lethbridge and shortly after, Cindy joined the team. Cindy has been with the company for 21 years and Tim for 20 – coincidentally, they knew each other before they began working together.

“Cindy and I lived a few houses away from each other. So growing up, I played street hockey with her younger sister and brother. We’ve known each other since the late 70s, early 80s,” said Tim.

In 2009, Cindy and Tim purchased the company from her uncle and have had a history of transforming a challenge into an opportunity since then.

“When we bought the company, it was bad timing,” said Tim. “In 2009, the economy wasn’t good so banks weren’t lending money. But our lender at BDC had faith in us and loaned us the money.”

Cindy continued, “When Tim and I bought [Caveman Transport], it was a dying horse. The trucking industry was really struggling at the time so our accomplishment is through the tough times. We ended up buying trailers during a time where a lot of people thought we were crazy to do it. We actually took it and flew with the company. Our accomplishment gave us the wherewithal to stick with it – even though it wasn’t great timing. We believed in each other and what we were doing.”

The saying, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,” resonates strongly with Tim and Cindy, who are working through the current challenges of COVID-19. Tim explains that working through the pandemic has been tough but you learn how to deal with these things.

“You don’t get too far ahead – you deal with what’s right in front of you,” said Tim. “We’ve been fortunate – Cindy’s built up a very strong customer base and you can’t find anything more valuable than that when times are bad. When things get tough, it’s your local customers that are dealing with us and the trust that they have with Cindy and the company. The trust that we’re going to complete the service at competitive rates. We’re very thankful.”

Caveman Transport Ltd.’s secrets to success are one) providing good service to its customers, employees and owner operators and ensuring that everybody is onboard and a part of the success and two) making safety a number one priority throughout the company. Tim explains that safety is an evolving thing and things that may have been deemed ‘safe’ 30 years ago may be frowned upon today. So Tim and Cindy made the executive decision to invest in safety.

“About two years ago, we had an owner operator who was driving a truck and was very safety orientated. Cindy, myself and [Dave] came to the conclusion that he would be responsible for safety (outside of us, the owners).”

Dave Elniski, Safety Officer with Caveman Transport Ltd., enrolled through the Alberta Motor Transport Association’s Certified Transport Safety Professional program and will receive his status at the end of this year. Tim explains that the decision to bring Dave into the office and this role gifts his team the knowledge that someone on their team, who does their job, can observe things from a safety perspective.

“It’s been a great learning experience for him and Cindy and I,” says Tim. “It’s funny how we went from not having a position to wondering how we ever went without having it!”

Tim and Cindy also hired Jim Neil as Maintenance Manager for their equipment. “Safety doesn’t really matter if you’re not getting your equipment in and maintaining it,” said Tim. “[Jim’s] done a great job of coming along and making sure we have everything done and causes less problems on the road.”

Tim says that investing in safety and maintenance have been really beneficial for the company, stating, “It’s made us a more profitable company and Cindy and I are sleeping better at night, knowing that the driver gets a proper orientation before he goes out, that our equipment is being properly maintained, and that we’re reiterating safety policies. As owners, we’re doing everything we can and setting a standard.”

To celebrate 30 years in the business, Cindy and Tim have rescheduled their annual Christmas dinner for next year, where they will celebrate the business and several employees who also have milestones to celebrate.

To learn more about Caveman Transport Ltd., visit
www.cavemantransport.com.

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