Dunn Transport of Carlyle has added hauling groceries to the list of products they deliver. Primarily they haul fuel from Federated Co-operatives, Ltd (FCL), but now they have added hauls of groceries between Regina and Saskatoon and points in- between, even doing a haul to the Â鶹´«Ã½AVern Plains Co-op in Carlyle.
A couple of months ago Dunn Transport made a sales call to Federated Co-op about any added business that they could do for the company. The well came up dry at the time.
FCL tends to work mostly with lease operators that fly the Co-op colours and do not use common carriers unless in a time of need.
Co-op has seen a surge in grocery sales at this time, as has most food stores, with people stocking their pantries and other storage areas due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Getting enough stock from the warehouse to stores has provided a new challenge for many companies, in order to maintain a good supply for consumers. Some companies are also short of drivers impacted by self- quarantine rules.
Having had recently requested more loads from FCL the timing worked out well and they now have four trucks running regular hauls. Forward planning is part of the business continuity plan at Federated and they have loads for the foreseeable future.
Dunn’s primary business has been hauling fuel from the Co-op Refinery in Regina to points in Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan and have at times into Montana and North Dakota.
The extra business does come with its challenges though, as the company needs to supply PPE (personal protective equipment) to maintain the protection of the drivers and the groceries they are moving.
Dunn Transport has been a local carrier operating out of Carlyle since inception and will celebrate 70 years of business in the community in 2021.
