COOKE OWNED SHORELAND TRANSPORT INC. ACQUIRES CONNORS TRANSFER LIMITED
St. George, N.B. & Stellarton, N.S. – July 7, 2022 – Shoreland Transport Inc. (“Shoreland”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Cooke Inc., has acquired Connors Transfer Limited (“Connors”), a provider of trucking and transportation services.
Connors was founded in Stellarton, N.S. in 1982 by brothers Glenn and Lauchie Connors. The business began as a small operation with two trucks delivering dry goods to grocery stores in Nova Scotia, eventually moving to fresh and frozen produce. Over the last 40 years, the company has grown to a fleet of 143 trucks and 261 trailers with four terminal locations.
“Connors is a trusted transportation provider known for their exceptionally high level of customer service. It’s growth over the years, supported by a number of long-term employees and customers, is a testament to the fact they are one of the most reliable and transparent operators in the industry. We’re pleased to be welcoming Connors’ 215 employees to Team Cooke,” says Glenn Cooke, CEO of Shoreland Transport Inc.
Shoreland was established by Cooke in 2002, and has terminals in St. George, N.B. and Suffolk, VA, and operates a fleet of 115 trucks and 217 trailers with routes across Canada and throughout the United States. Shoreland primarily moves fresh salmon and seafood products for Cooke Aquaculture companies, as well as other customers in Atlantic Canada.
“There are many challenges for logistics in today’s environment, and this acquisition will further strengthen Cooke’s vertical integration. Many of Connors customers operate in food retail and agri-food, so their business and fleet align very well with Shoreland’s current operations and will enable us to improve services with our customers,” says Cooke. With this acquisition, Shoreland Transport is now one of the largest trucking companies in Atlantic Canada.
“It means so much to our family to have the business we built join with another family-owned, Atlantic Canada-based company, with whom we share many community-minded values as employers and service providers,” said Lauchie Connors, CEO of Connors Transfer Limited. “This will create a strong network to support customers, and more opportunities for drivers and staff. It’s terrific the Cooke family continues to make strategic investments in Nova Scotia as a global seafood leader that’s always thinking locally.”
The companies will operate all terminals and facilities and continue to focus on driver retention and recruitment, with an aim to grow its customer base and routes. The terms of the transactions have not been disclosed as both companies are private, family-owned businesses.
Full release here.