Erban Report - Erb Transport

From The President’s Desk...
Our company has experienced another very busy, active
summer with record volumes of food shipments. For several
years, we didn’t have the extreme volumes that were usually
the case for as long as I can remember. However, this past
year reminded me of the earlier years when volumes usually
doubled during the spring and summer months.
There were very few days I was not asked if my day was
planned, or if I could take a local delivery run, or do a trailer
switch with another driver, when I would come through the
dispatch office in the morning. Some days, I could change
my plans and help out as a driver, and other times I could
not. I appreciated seeing many former drivers from our
office, including Wendell, leave their desks and comfortable
offices, get into a truck at noon and make 15-20 deliveries to
our customers.
I want to thank everyone who worked extra hours and
did everything humanly possible to get the goods to their
destinations attempting to keep our customers reasonably
happy during this very busy time. There were times when I
had no appointments or engagements for four or five days in
a row, so I would make myself available to our International
division and they always had a good choice of trips for me to
take.
My grandson, Tyler, went with me on several trips to
South Carolina, Georgia, and Oklahoma. We had wonderful
times together and every trip was almost perfect. I did have
to learn and practice being patient at one of our customers
in Georgia when I waited from 8:00 a.m. to 7 p.m. to be
loaded, however while I was there the President and Vice
President of a group who arranges loads for us took me out
for lunch and showed me their facilities which took several
hours out of my waiting time. These gentlemen work closely
with our U.S. dispatch and were extremely pleased with the
cooperation and service they receive from Erb Transport. On
some of the runs, I took my granddaughter, Lindsey with me
and we also had great times together.
As most of you know, when Viola and I started our
business it was with dump trucks and construction
equipment. I have a collection of antique bulldozers
including the largest International - a TD30 weighing 40 ton.
In June, I offered my part time assistance to a London,
Ontario, company doing a local excavating job in New
Hamburg. The owner of this construction company, Bev
Dekay, his wife, Viola and I had met at a convention in PA
about eight years ago and had a great time sharing about
our business and antique interests. Our paths had not
crossed since, but when he heard I was interested to help
part time with my big dozer, I was on the job immediately. I
guess they liked the antique operator and the antique
machine because after several days of dozing they had me
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push their large two engine motor scrapers! This meant
being on the job from 7 a.m. till 6 p.m. Not being used to
this steady grind, I prayed for rain so we would get an
occasional break. Viola and I had a wedding invitation from
our family in B.C. and had to fly out on a Tuesday 4 p.m.
flight. The foreman on the job begged me to stay as close to
flight time as possible. It was a good experience to work in
the construction industry again. Many of the operators
couldn’t believe why Mr. ERB would be on an old bulldozer
in the heat and dust and work all those hours! I simply
responded that at my age and with a little more free time, I
want to do some of the things I enjoy doing - one of which
is operating heavy equipment.
Another highlight occurred recently when we were asked
to bring a 1952 antique truck to the International Trade
Centre in Toronto. The reason they requested this particular
truck was to recognize the year that Elizabeth became
Queen. Our 1952 truck was part of the OTA display section
for the Royal Visit of Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of
Edinburgh, Prince Philip. Since we provided the special truck,
OTA requested invitations from the Government of Ontario
for Viola, Karen and me to attend this gala exhibition to
honour the Queen. Being in her presence and within several
feet of the Royal couple is an experience we shall long
remember.
As most of you are aware, I am not too involved in the
day-to-day operation of our company. But, I must say my
days during the past summer have been very busy and
exciting, revolving around the company and other activities.
I still have not been able to take up golfing, though!
God has been good, and may He bless each of you
during the coming season.
Vernon D. Erb
President
The Erb Group of Companies