Finish Line Transport digs the holes required before construction of large buildings
VICTORIA – Finish Line Transport was created in 2006, to capitalize on local dump truck work.
At the time they were operating a proprietorship – Mansell Excavating. They were hiring local trucks to haul material from the worksites and decided to buy its’ own trucks for the transportation of these materials.
In 2008 Finish Line expanded into the long-haul trucking business primarily running produce back and forth from California to Vancouver Island. In 2019 they added two new Western Stars and in 2022 they added three more tractor-trailer units to their long-haul fleet.
While produce is their main commodity, the company has hauled everything from chandeliers, swimming pools, seedlings, Christmas trees, grape juice, and sea cans, and has a base of long term repeat customers.
General Manager Eddy Brooks notes that they are the number one hauler for Islands West Manufacturers in Victoria, saying “We transport four or five loads of fresh produce from the U.S. every week, depending on the season.”
Finish Line Transport’s team on the job at Bear Mountain
Brooks says the civil side of the business has been expanding as well with the purchase of several excavators, rock driller, dump trucks and trailers. They’re currently working on large condominium projects on Bear Mountain and Esquimalt with other civil jobs that will begin in the coming weeks.
“Site preparation is our specialty,” he says. “We’re trying to build up the business, doing shot-crete, drilling, and all the things that go with preparation for condominium buildings, for example.”
They’ve also been active in the grinding and screening of soil, installing septic systems, replacement of sewer drains and site preparation for the installation of commercial greenhouses.
On October 11 this year, Finish Line Earth Works Ltd. was incorporated in Victoria and will assume the civil side of Finish Line Transport operations going forward.
About two years ago they expanded into pallet recycling and refurbishment.
“Everything that moves freight-wise arrives on pallets, and when they break, we pick them up, bring them to our yard, repair and sell them,” Brooks states, adding “Part of the rationale for this expansion was to lessen the environmental impact of those pallets going to the landfill. As well, trucking on and off Vancouver Island is expensive so we are able to offset the southbound ferry costs from the sale of the pallets to our customers on the mainland and in the U.S.”
Finish Line Transport on a job site in Esquimalt
Finish Line Transport currently employs 20 staff and has been successful in retaining their employees in a very competitive employment market, especially for drivers.
“We are always looking for more drivers,” he says. “We pay better than the industry average, have a comprehensive benefit package, and we don’t mind paying extra for experience.”
Brooks points out that the Mansells have found their niche in the Greater Victoria market. “They’re not looking to take over the world or become one of the bigger companies,” Brooks notes. “They just want to maintain a good, family-style operation that provides a good lifestyle for them and their employees.
“The personal connection we have inside and outside the company – our communication and hands on approach have all been important in helping us build the business.”
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