Edmonton, 1940s. The city was ambitious, hungry - its population poised for prosperity. Morris Byers believed in the potential of Edmonton and chose to purchase a piece of the future. He bought a struggling transport company, Blueline Transport, proudly renaming it Byers Transport. The truckline serviced the route between Edmonton and Wainwright, Alberta three days a week. Despite the greatest efforts of owner and employees, the company continued to struggle until Morris Byers accepted some good advice and began to offer daily service. Within six months, he couldn’t handle all his business.
At that point, Byers turned to the man who had seen the need for daily service and offered him a half interest in Byers Transport. Jim Chapman owned and operated a terminal on Kingsway Avenue in Edmonton. He knew the transportation business and believed that Byers Transport had excellent prospects. In 1948, Chapman and Byers became partners.
Infused with fresh enthusiasm, the company secured financing to enable them to purchase the additional trucks and trailers necessary to handle their burgeoning business. Growth continued without setback until January, 1951 when Morris Byers died in an accident during a trip to Wabasca. The Chapman family bought the remaining interest in the company from the estate of Morris Byers. Byers Transport entered a new era. By 1953, the company expanded into a new trucking terminal in northeast Edmonton.
1960’s
During the late '50s and early '60s, the management of Byers Transport accepted a new challenge for their company. As development in the Northwest Territories reached new, demanding heights, so did the need for reliable transportation. And Byers Transport was there. Mile by mile, Byers faced the obstacles of trucking across an unforgiving land. To defeat the unique problems facing them, they created innovative solutions such as laying down ice roads across frozen rivers, lakes and muskeg and attaching snow plows to the front of the trucks so they could clear paths through the snow as they traveled.
Byers Transport became part of the mythology of the Arctic, a lifeline from southern civilization to the miners struggling to recover the valuable resources hidden within the frozen ground. From a point aptly named Fort Byers, truckers moved a steady stream of supplies from food to bunker fuel along Byers’ main winter road to the Echo Bay silver mine at Port Radium, on the slopes of the Great Bear Lake. Though conditions were often treacherous, Byers' drivers knew the sustenance of the mine depended upon them.
To adequately serve the Northwest Territories, Byers established terminals in Hay River and Yellowknife. Circumstances in the north required Byers to become involved in all forms of transportation. From Yellowknife, the company organized airlifts of supplies into the Arctic islands. Out of Hay River, Byers interlined freight with the barges that moved down the Mackenzie River. During the periods when weather prohibited the use of either ice bridge or ferry, Byers arranged air shuttles across the Mackenzie River to provide Yellowknife with service.
1970’s
Byers Transport entered the '70s under new ownership and with a new name. The growth of the company's enterprises had caught the attention of Pacific Western Airlines who wished to strengthen their own position in the north. PWA purchased Byers from the Chapman family and launched the company into a new stage of development. In 1971, Byers acquired Monarch Transport, a smaller company which operated many of the same routes as the parent company. The two companies were merged under the name Pacific Western Trucking. New terminals were added in Fort McMurray, Peace River and High Level. Byers continued its pattern of steady expansion accompanied by consistent, reliable service along all of its routes. Increased business confirmed that this was the winning formula.
In 1974, the Alberta government purchased Pacific Western, subsequently deciding to sell off its trucking division. Determined to demonstrate their commitment to transportation excellence, a group of 120 employees came together to buy their company. Their bid was successful and Byers Transport was reborn as an employee-owned operation.
Expansion continued with openings in Lloydminster, Hinton, Grande Cache and Jasper. In 1979, Byers began to build new head office facilities in south Edmonton. That same year, the company purchased Oldhams Transport, opening new business opportunities in southern Alberta and southeastern British Columbia.
In the midst of the growth came more change. Laidlaw Transportation Limited purchased Byers from the employee group through Grey Goose Corporation Ltd.
1980’s
A new decade, new owners and in June of 1980, a new head office and Edmonton terminal complex. Flushed with pride, Byers could point to a modern 76,000 square foot facility from which they could efficiently handle over one million pounds of freight a day. Other new terminals were opened in Edson and Red Deer and in 1983 Byers opened facilities in the Bonnyville, Cold Lake and Grande Centre areas. Byers also continued their push into southern Alberta, opening an agency in Brooks in 1985.
In September of 1985, the company resurrected the name Monarch Transport to attach to a new division created to handle truckload traffic. Operating under Byers authority, Monarch has performed remarkably well, successfully penetrating the truckload market in a short period of time.
With the addition of terminals in Lacombe, Olds and Medicine Hat, Byers Transport became recognized industrywide as the one carrier that shippers could utilize to reach almost any point in Alberta, British Columbia and the Northwest Territories.
1987
On July31, 1987 at approximately 3:30pm, Byers' Edmonton location was hit by the most devastating tornado to ever touch down in western Canada. Caught on the crest of its fleeting wrath, the terminal, offices, trucks and equipment were completely destroyed in just scant moments. Thankfully, the most vital element of the company, the 67 employees who were there at the time, escaped with their lives, though injuries were suffered. Despite the shock, the commitment of those employees enabled Byers Transport to swiftly rebound. On the Tuesday after the long weekend, staff was back on the job, rallying to the challenge. During the weekend, temporary facilities for the dock, maintenance and offices had been located and replacement trucks and trailers had been rented. Byers' loyal customers were the other key element through this difficult period, providing support and encouragement which proved most gratifying to staff operating under the most arduous of conditions.
1988...
Byers Transport looked to the Yukon for their next phase of growth. In the fall of 1987, the company purchased Yukon Freightlines, adding terminals in Grande Prairie, Alberta; Vancouver, British Columbia; Whitehorse, Yukon; and Inuvik, Northwest Territories, as well as a heavy haul division based in Fort McMurray, Alberta. With this addition to their already extensive area of service, Byers became the only carrier providing regularly scheduled freight service to all main points in both of Canada’s northern territories. This service is provided from all main centres in Alberta and British Columbia.
The reconstruction of Byers' Edmonton facility was completed in fall of 1988. The official opening, held on November 4, 1988, signaled the completion of one dramatic chapter in the company’s history and heralded the beginning of another. Byers Transport now faces the future with a sense of expectation and excitement. A proud heritage, stable ownership, modern locations and equipment, and capable, committed staff equip Byers to meet the challenges of their vital industry. As western Canada grows, so will Byers, redefining transportation for the 21st century.