Founded in a small town about half an hour’s drive from Moncton, New Brunswick, Armour Transportation Systems dates back about 80 years. What started as a one-man operation hauling straw and stone has grown into a considerable-sized transportation fleet with operations across North America.

Hitting the road

The story of Armour Transportation Systems began in the 1940s with Gordon Armour in Taylor Village, a small farming community in New Brunswick. In the early days of the business, Armour had a single truck that he used to transport gravel to surrounding areas. Naturally, hay was plentiful in a farming town, which he also delivered across the province and as far as Nova Scotia.

A creative entrepreneur, Armour eventually started transporting soap and chocolate to N.B. on the way back from his hauls to N.S. As the hay business slowed in the 1950s, Armour broadened his routes to include hauling Christmas trees destined for the U.S. and deliveries for Kraft Foods. In 1955, he officially established a trucking company, acquiring the required licensing and incorporating the business GM Armour & Son Ltd.

 

Growing with family

As Armour expanded operations, he continued to focus on providing superior customer service, even if that meant the occasional delivery on Sundays or before sunrise. By 1966, Gordon had grown the organization to 10 trucks and 11 employees, by which time his son Wesley joined the family business. Gordon decided to retire two years later and sold GM Armour & Son to Wesley who was 22 at the time.

Under Wesley’s direction, the organization moved its headquarters to Moncton and operations continued to grow. The company eventually adopted the name Armour Transportation Systems and over the next few decades introduced a long-haul division, courier services (within Atlantic Canada) and logistic warehousing.

While Wesley made strategic changes for growth, he maintained his father’s commitment to providing excellent service and remaining flexible to meet customer needs.

 

Still driving

Today, Armour Transportation Systems is a leader in its industry with over 2,000 employees, 24 terminals and 4,000 pieces of equipment. The organization has grown to have ten divisions of logistics and transportation services including Diamond’s Transfer (servicing P.E.I.), RJS Terminals (servicing Newfoundland) and Triple B Trucking (which specializes in transporting fresh foods across Atlantic Canada, Ontario and Quebec).

While a representative of Armour was unavailable for comment, according to their website headquarters remain in Moncton, N.B. and the company has grown to service customers across Canada, the United States and Mexico.

About 80 years on the road and still driving.

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