Gore Bay, Ontario — Manitoulin Transport is the first transportation and logistics company in Canada to receive a certificate of compliance with ISO 14001:2004, an international standard that sets out the criteria for an environmental management system. This certification, which Manitoulin spent two years preparing for, demonstrates the company’s commitment to understanding and improving upon its impact on the environment.
“We are proud to lead the industry in this critical endeavour,” said Jeff Smith, executive vice-president, Manitoulin Group of Companies. “We feel morally compelled to reduce our CO2 emissions and our overall footprint, given the consequences of climate change that we now regularly experience in Canada and around the world.”
ISO (International Organization for Standardization) is the world’s largest developer of voluntary International Standards. ISO 14001:2004 assures company management, staff, customers and other external stakeholders that environmental impact is being measured and improved.
Manitoulin Transport has a history of environmental stewardship which includes: the early adoption of speed limits for all its trucks; the use of super single tires; investing in long-combination vehicles to carry greater loads in a single trip; using recycled water to clean its trucks; retrofitting tractor-trailers with aerodynamic enhancers such as cab extenders, roof fairings and trailer skirts — which significantly reduce emissions.
“We are constantly challenging ourselves to find ways to address environmental concerns relating to our business and, more importantly, our equipment,” said Smith. “Becoming ISO 14001 certified is a significant accomplishment for management and staff. It was a long and rigorous process, which called for deep commitment to the cause. It wasn’t easy getting there, but it was all worth it.”
