Sharp Transportation Systems Inc. is a mid-sized fleet with its headquarters and primary terminal based in Cambridge, Ontario.
The company also has terminals in Montreal and Holland, Michigan as well as five trucks based in the Maritimes. In operation for over 21 years, Sharp is highly specialized and dedicated to a niche area of transportation.
Employing best-in-class technology and equipment, the company adheres to a client-centric philosophy that emphasizes custom-based strategic and flexible solutions. Sharp prides itself in having the flexibility to adapt frequency, lanes and scheduling for each client’s unique needs and has intentionally maintained a mid-size growth model in order to focus attentively on each individual client and their requirements. Its organizational mission is not to compete in size, but to compete in quality. Sharp’s Kimberly Biback shared her thoughts on the company in the following interview.
Can you describe your company’s origins?
Out of the home basement of company founder and CEO Shawn Baird, Sharp was born with one truck in 1998. To date, the company has expanded to 54 trucks and 132 trailers and has become specialized in the pharmaceutical niche.
What is your main area of operation?
Our primary terminal services all the activity created by the trans-border demands of our customers. It is a major hub and pivotal operation point with the Ontario and Eastern Canada traffic destined for the US. The cross-border emphasis of our business is significant to our current and continued success. We are a C-TPAT, FAST, CSA, PIP, FleetSmart and SmartWay approved carrier. We are well positioned to serve the pharmaceutical industry in particular, which is taking advantage of manufacturing opportunities created with cross-border trade. We run power units and dry van, with the latter typically dedicated to furniture as well as some alternative commodities.
Does your company have a slogan or business philosophy?
Make the Sharp Decisions on the inside, to be the Sharp Decision on the outside. We believe accountability starts within. Not only to each other and to our business, but externally within the community and on a larger scale, our overall corporate social responsibility.
Who makes up the company’s leadership team?
Every individual in our organization makes up our leadership team. We only hire and retain individuals who possess a high level of integrity and accountability and who consistently demonstrate leadership to those around them and the community. A unique characteristic of Sharp is that employees are not assigned titles. Each member of the team is delegated areas in which they hold primary responsibility and accountability based on qualifications and expertise. However, we collectively operate as one unit when it comes to the company operations as a whole.
How long has your company been a member of the PMTC? What benefits of membership are most important to you?
Sharp has been a PMTC member for the past two years and we also have representation on the Board of Directors. The benefit of membership that we consider most valuable is the immediate and first-hand access to critical regulatory information, government action and initiatives concerning the transportation industry as well as being part of the voice with Canadian government. PMTC also consistently provides many networking opportunities throughout the year and a chance to collaborate, business to business.
Safety is paramount in the industry. Can you describe your company’s safety initiatives?
In addition to our professional drivers, all members of our staff receive a full and comprehensive rundown of safety procedures and protocols. As well as tabletop drills, some of these include:
Orientation of site and company overview
Load securement
Extensive OHS and GHS
Transportation of dangerous goods
Size and weight regulations
Internal risk
and supply chain security
Hijacking protocols
Safety in the yard
PIP and C-TPAT (freight security: suspicious behaviours and preventative action)
Cargo theft – what to look for/how to respond/contingency
Railway crossing
Defensive driving
and hazard awareness
Canadian and US
hours of service (HOS)
ELD training (for electronic logging)
Final road test
Other initiatives include having an exercise facility on-site to encourage our staff to stay healthy and remain sharp.
In terms of our overall operation, we utilize best-in-class technology and new equipment in order to prevent defects and reduce risk, and apply heavy emphasis on ensuring cohesion between dispatch and drivers. When communication is positive and productive, it allows an effective and cohesive relationship. We believe that “a happy driver is also a safer driver on the road.”
Driver recruitment and retention is also a major industry issue. What are some ways you recruit/retain your drivers as well as other employees?
A major factor of our recruitment is word of mouth. Recruiting ads are a lot like a résumé. The wording might seem enticing and draw people in, however, a company is less about what they put on paper and more about their actions internally and externally. We strive to make our people happy on the inside first. We might not always compete in wages, but we will always compete in the areas of respect and flexibility. Our employees are not numbers, but family. Our people stay because they feel that. But don’t take our word for it, the Google and Facebook reviews speak volumes!
How is your company friendly to the environment?
We are SmartWay certified, and we utilize trailer skirts, wheel caps and increased load density.
The trucking industry needs to be viewed in a better light by the rest of society. How is your company working to improve trucking’s image?
Sharp is a firm believer in philanthropy and has been recognized countless times by external businesses, individuals and media for efforts made to support the community and globally as well. Some key initiatives include, but are not limited to:
Disaster Relief Assistance
Canadian Cancer Society
Blind Service Dogs
Dog Rescue with HSUS
Canadian Association
for Suicide Prevention (CASP)
Canadian Autism Society
Sick Kids Foundation of Canada
War Amps
Trucking For A Cure
Ongoing support towards Early-Onset Alzheimer’s and Dementia Research
Sharp would love the world to view trucking and transportation not only as a critical component to keeping the economy moving, but as a means to roll out positive impact across the globe.
Any final thoughts you would like to add about your company or the industry?
Our latest website www.sharpdecision.com was developed in 2018 and designed not only with accessibility in mind, but for ease of use and navigation for clients, prospects and our team. In our Drivers Corner, we share professional driver blogs, unique stories, spotlights, photo submissions and winners. We also have a Health & Lifestyle category that provides in-cab resources, tips and recipes that are tried, tested and developed by professional drivers. Be sure to visit our Drivers Blog section regularly for updated tips and industry info.
