Hiring our heroes: Why you shouldn’t go AWOL when it comes to hiring Canada’s military veterans.
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Giving bad news: A communications expert explains how to talk to employees about tough times.
Page 16
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Western Canada’s Trucking Newspaper Since 1989
January 2016 Volume 27, Issue 1
Parking problems: B.C.’s Lower Mainland has a lot of issues when it comes to truck parking.
trucknews.com
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Business outlook Alberta’s weak economy spilling over to other western provinces By Derek Clouthier
Photo by Derek Clouthier Heiko Lichtenberger, 2015 Owner/Operator of the Year, pictured with his second truck, Second Chance.
Making the most of a second chance
Reach us at our Western Canada news bureau
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Contact Derek Clouthier at: Derek@ Newcom.ca or call 403-969-1506
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Albertan Heiko Lichtenberger named Canada’s 2015 Owner/Operator of the Year By James Menzies CALGARY, Alta. – Heiko Lichtenberger wears his heart on his sleeve, in the form of a tattoo. The 2015 Truck News/Truck West Owner/Operator of the Year revealed during a dinner in his honour that he has booked an appointment with his tattoo artist and was scheduled to have ‘Keep on Trucking’ permanently inscribed on the inside of his right forearm in mid-December. A portion of his $6,000 cash prize was set aside for the new ink. Lichtenberger also took home a diamond ring, a plaque and a variety of prizes from the award’s sponsors, Castrol and Goodyear, including a year’s supply of heavy-duty engine oil. He and a guest were also flown to Toronto from his home in Calgary, Alta. to receive the award. Lichtenberger, who drives for Emerald Park, Sask.-based D.J. Knoll Transport, may have travelled further – geographically, at least – than any previous Owner/Operator of the Year to win the prestigious honour. He was born and raised in northwestern Ger-
many, where from an early age he dreamed of becoming a truck driver, though his father had different plans for his future. “Since I was a little boy, I wanted to drive a big truck just like my brother did,” Lichtenberger explained. “My dad, on the other hand, wanted me to follow in his footsteps and be a bricklayer. In fact, I did actually train for three years to become a bricklayer but I failed the certification exam three times and was not allowed to take it again. On the bright side, this gave me the opportunity to pursue my dream – employment insurance would pay for me to become a truck driver!” In Germany, Lichtenberger hauled everything from wood chips in walking floor trailers to chemical tankers. His trucking career took him through the Netherlands, France, Spain, Denmark, Belgium, Sweden, Portugal, Austria, the Czech Republic and Russia. But it was a chance meeting with a recruiter while vacationing in Canada that brought Lichtenberger and his wife permanently to North America. Continued on page 18
Careers: 21, 22, 23, 24, To view list of advertisers see pg. 45 25, 26
CALGARY, Alta. – Alberta’s neighbouring provinces agree that the economic downturn in Wild Rose Country is and will continue to have a direct effect on each of their trucking industries. As 2016 approaches, the British Columbia Trucking Association (BCTA) and Saskatchewan Trucking Association (STA) have seen this first-hand, with drivers abandoning Alberta for greener pastures to the west or east and Alberta carriers expanding their geographic reach to make up for the dearth of freight. “We are feeling the effects of the economic downturn in Alberta,” said BCTA president and CEO Louise Yako. “In part because a lot of our members who are based here also have operations in Alberta, so they are feeling it directly in Alberta. Even those who don’t have operations in Alberta are beginning to feel it because we’re seeing Alberta carriers moving into B.C. looking for work.” Yako said this situation poses both and up and downside for B.C.’s trucking industry, with the positive being that workers are returning to B.C. after having left for work in Alberta. “On the other hand, it just means more competition,” Yako said of the negative, “and I think that greater competition is really starting to be felt now, and I would suspect that that will continue on through to 2016.” Al Rosseker, executive director of the STA, echoed Yako’s sentiment. “With what is going on in our neighbouring province of Alberta, we might see companies seeking refuge in the strong Saskatchewan economy,” he said. “With many oilfield workers not working in their typical positions, we have seen a slight influx of qualified drivers.” Rosseker said he expects 2016 to be very similar for the trucking industry in Saskatchewan as 2015, continuing with an industry trend of mergers and acquisitions. “As this continues to happen in the Continued on page 19
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