Van Kam Freightways Ltd. has been trucking freight across B.C. since 1947
SURREY – Van Kam Freightways Ltd. has been trucking freight across the province for 78 years, supporting Canadian businesses every mile of the way.
Their expertise in transporting construction & building materials, machinery, equipment, and tools safely and efficiently enables them to cater to both contractors and suppliers looking to ship construction freight in Western Canada.
Since 1947, Van Kam has become one of the largest regional carriers in Western Canada, specializing in less-than-truckload (LTL) freight transportation, with eight terminals throughout BC and Alberta. They also transport freight directly through an extensive network of service locations across the region, and offer sensitive freight and delivery solutions.
“We are proud of the fact we are B.C. owned and operated, and that we support our communities and buy local as much as we can,” says Mike Bruggen-Cate, Sales Manager, BC. “We have an amazing agent network as well, with terminals throughout both provinces, where we transport freight directly to them, and they make the final mile delivery for us in their local region.
Van Kam Freightways Ltd.’s head office in Surrey
“We’re good at what we do,” he notes. “We provide excellent customer service, we’re B.C. owned and operated, and we handle all sorts of trucking, and we always have a different customer base. . . construction, mining, food, alcohol, janitorial supplies, automotive, electronics. . .we touch all different types of companies. Basically, we don’t lock up a lot of our business with one customer, so we’re very diversified.”
To efficiently serve all major industry sectors, Van Kam owns a fleet of trucks and related equipment that enables them to transport customers’ goods within one to three days, as well as into eastern Canada and the United States. They own over 1,000 assets, including temperature-sensitive trailers, various sized trailers, flat decks, delivery trucks, Super B trains and more.
In the beginning: A Vancouver-Kamloops Freight Lines Ltd. truck, before the company became Van Kam Freightways Ltd.
As part of their commitment to providing the most efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective transportation solutions with 24/7 tracking visibility, Van Kam is constantly growing and modernizing its fleet. They believe this benefits both their customers and drivers, as they invest in new trucks and equipment that take advantage of the latest technologies, safety, and eco-friendly features.
Van Kam is certified with various organizations which affirm their commitment to safety and quality of service, including Canadian and USA Hazardous Materials Certificates, Commercial General and Truck Cargo Liability Insurance, the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT), Free and Secure Trade (FAST), Customs Self-Assessment (CSA) and Partners in Protection (PIP).
They have also implemented numerous green initiatives, including the use of EDI technology, reliance on Energy Star computers, and adherence to safe disposal measures for items through partnerships with local recycling and environmental companies.
Frank Pelle is one of the many truck drivers for Van Kam Freightways customers
Van Kam’s online E-Services enable clients to complete their freight shipping quotes and schedule pickups through a single, intuitive computer interface, allowing them to save money without needing to call or email about freight details. Quotes and pickup schedules are available through the service, and they also have LiveChat through their website during regular business hours.
Many people growing up in the 80s remember Van Kam’s popular “We Go Everywhere” television commercial, complete with music to the tune of the popular country-western song made famous by country superstar Johnny Cash. It placed Van Kam top-of-mind for television viewers and radio listeners for generations, as it listed Western Canadian cities it reached by name, finishing up with “that’s how the West was won.” Although the ad campaign is not currently running, their blanket coverage of BC and Alberta remains.
Click here to contact a local Van Kam Business Development Manager in your area.
Read more about Van Kam’s purpose, values, and community involvement on their website at www.vankam.com
