highland moving & storage ltd. - 75th anniversary
DESCRIPTION
The year was 1938 and Peter Kachur had just bought himselfa truck that carried his future. It came bundled with acompany called Jim’s Express Transfer and Baggage Hauling,Ltd. Legend has it that Peter kept the name Jim’s Express becausehe didn’t have the paint to change the writing on the doors.What he did have was business sense, which he applied liberallyto his little business, growing it bit by bit over the decades.TRANSCRIPT
The year was 1938 and Peter Kachur had just bought him-self a truck that carried his future. It came bundled with a company called Jim’s Express Transfer and Baggage Haul-
ing, Ltd. Legend has it that Peter kept the name Jim’s Express be-cause he didn’t have the paint to change the writing on the doors. What he did have was business sense, which he applied liberally to his little business, growing it bit by bit over the decades.
By the mid-60’s, Peter’s two sons, Norman and younger brother Don, were each considering ways of making their own mark in the world. Their father’s health was failing, so he of-fered his eldest the chance to take over the busi-ness. Norm agreed, and ran Jim’s Express suc-cessfully for the next 10 years. In 1974, younger brother Don bought into the company.
The forming of that fraternal partnership was auspicious as it marked the germination of an entirely new business model. “We knew that delivering used furniture wasn’t the fu-ture,” Don Kachur, now president of the com-pany, says. “We saw that MacCosham’s was rich, and we weren’t. So we said, let’s do what they’re doing.” They joined United Van Lines, bought land, built a warehouse and got down to the task of selling their services to the cor-porate sector.
The company made bold decisions. “We went head-to-head with MacCosham’s to land a contract with Canadian Bechtel,” Don says. Bechtel needed a company to handle the employees that were about to transfer to Ft. McMurray to build the massive Syncrude oil sands plant. “We got the job.”
Norman and Don realized it was time to change the name during a meeting with Brian Ascough of PWA. There was one thing keep-ing them from landing the account. “Brian asked if we would feel safe flying to Calgary on ‘Pete’s Airline’. We got the point.” Jim’s Ex-press and Baggage Hauling was re-imagined as Highland Moving and Storage, and in 1994, Don Kachur assumed full ownership of the company.
A few years later, a conversation between Don and a successful colleague, Jim Thomp-
son, brought about another change. Thompson, head of the world’s largest international moving company, said: “Come with me to Hong Kong, and in three days you’ll know about interna-tional moving.” Upon his return, Don started looking for some-one with international experience to take Highland to the next level. Enter Paul Wielens, Highland’s International rating clerk and now, their CEO. International moving requires exceptional skills to navigate the regulations and paperwork involved. “We ship everywhere,” Wielens says. “You name it, we’ll get it there.”
Highland Moving Turns 75
Highland Moving & Storage Ltd. | 75th Anniversary
Highland Moving now operates out of its new warehouse in Edmonton’s west end. Don’s son Casey became a managing part-ner three years ago and manages the Calgary operation. Including their Calgary Branch, they employ 36 office staff. With more than 60 trucks and up to 200 employees, they pride themselves on their ability to get the job done.
It’s been 75 years since an ambitious man bought that first truck, but with 1,600 moves last year and a projected 2,000 in 2013, the future remains bright for this family business.
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Congratulations to Highland Moving & Storage Ltd. for 75 Years in Business!
7 8 0 4 6 3 - 8 2 3 1 • w w w. p i g i . c a
Congratulations Highland Moving and Storage Ltd.
on your 75th anniversary! Printing Impressions and Graphics is proud to be part of your success.
4960 - 92 Avenue, Edmonton, AB T6B 2V4 • Fax 780-462-9726
R.M. Moving Supplies Plus Ltd.5239 - 86 Street NW Edmonton, AB T6E 6T1 • Ph: 780-469-9198 • Fax: 780-469-9173
Toll Free: 1-866-469-9198 • www.rmmoving.ca
Congratulations Highland Moving and Storage Ltd.on your 75th anniversary!
Highland Moving & Storage Ltd. | 75th Anniversary
By Mark Kandborg
Above: Paul Wielens,
Don Kachur, and Casey Kachur
continue a 75-year tradition in moving.
Right: They really mean it when
they say “we started in a
garage.”
15305 – 128th Avenue N.W. Edmonton, Alberta T5V 1A5Phone: 780-453-6777 • Fax: 780-453-6622
Email: [email protected]
Secure, heated storage in Highland Moving’s modern warehouse.