Welcome to Tandet Expressway, our e-newsletter to advise you of Tandet and industry happenings. Of particular interest in this issue is the lead story – about Tandet being chosen as one of Canada’s Top 50 Best Managed companies. We hope you find the Expressway informative. Please forward it to your associates, or better yet, add their names to our list using the form at the end of the newsletter. Have a great day.

One of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies

Tandet Management Inc. was chosen as one of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies, as announced February 3rd in a Financial Special Report of the National Post. The 50 Best Managed companies are determined by criteria set by Deloitte, CIBC Commercial Banking, the National Post and Queens University School of Business. It is a nationally recognized all-encompassing business recognition award.

“This is certainly a high point in Tandet’s history – to have such illustrious third-party recognition of the years of hard work by all employees at Tandet, who are committed to excellence in customer service, safety and business practices,” said John Tilley, Chairman.

The Best Managed Companies award is uniquely Canadian – recognizing Canadian owned closely-held private companies with superior results for the past three years in both growth and profitability. In addition to financial growth and balance sheet strength, some of the characteristics these companies typically exhibit are:

• pursuing and managing alliances, acquisitions and other strategic relationships
• building and sustaining a customer-focused approach to sales and marketing
• designing the right organization and processes to support growth
• attracting and retaining talent to build an exceptional culture
• creating the right working environment with leadership and the ability to communicate the company’s vision

“This award reassures us that our business strategies and employee commitments are taking us in the right direction. We are proud to be along side of other top performing companies in Canada," indicated Kirk Tilley, President of Tandet NationaLease Ltd. and Tandet Eastern Ltd.

According to Scott Tilley, President of Tandet Dedicated Inc. and Tandet Logistics Inc., “This award validates a cornerstone of the Tandet philosophy we have operated with for over 25 years – ‘to deliver the best possible service to our customers.’ It acknowledges the ability of Tandet people to establish, maintain and constantly improve upon a system that supports this most basic of our commitments.”

For more information about this award and Tandet, contact Kirk or Scott Tilley at Tandet Management Inc. 905-827-4200; 1-888-TANDET8 (1-888-826-3388).

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Moving Day at Sussex Dr.

This picture appeared in the National Post February 3, 2006. The picture says it all - almost!

When AMJ-Commercial Division movers needed extra equipment to move the former Prime Minister out of 24 Sussex Drive, their first call was to Tandet Kenworth in Ottawa. "We usually call Tandet first" said Richard McCuaid, Dispatch Manager at AMJ, "because they have proven to be the most responsive in customer service. Whenever we have been in a jam - needing equipment in a hurry and no one to pick it up - Tandet delivers it. They almost always have the equipment we need."

So if you are planning some " political moves " of your own and need some extra equipment to make it happen, contact Greg Loveland, Rental Manager at Tandet Kenworth Ottawa at 1-877-826-3386; gloveland@tandet.com, or the Rental Manager at your local Tandet branch.

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Premium Carrier recognition from Sunoco

Experiencing the delivery …a client’s perspective

TANDET Logistics Division responded to a request from David Shimoda, a newly appointed Regional Transportation Manager from Imperial Oil Ltd. David, having transferred into the position from another area in the company, wanted to gain greater insight into the delivery aspect of their business with first-hand exposure to the process. Tandet extended an invitation to him to ride along on deliveries.

David’s first day started at 2 AM when he joined Norm Bortolussi, a seasoned professional driver with over 15 years chemical delivery experience. The vehicle was a triaxle, 45,000 litre, three compartment chemical tanker that typically carries a gross weight of 53,000 kgs of solvents and chemicals while on delivery from Hamilton to the GTA. His second day was spent observing Tandet’s Sarnia dispatch team who schedule deliveries and pickups. David decided after his initial exposure session to extend the educational process with more 2 AM delivery runs so he could really understand the day to day challenges Tandet drivers face at the client’s sites, on the highways, as well as the loading docks. David's goal is to identify any issues – primarily at the points of interaction between the two companies - that may impact efficiencies in the whole delivery process. He feels the best way to understand a situation is to be hands on.

At the Logistics Safety meeting last fall, David related what he had seen as well as what he hoped to accomplish. "I was impressed by the Tandet drivers on their professionalism and dedication. I also made an observation about Tandet after seeing a poster about safety records in their office. This stated the years of service of Tandet employees – indicating that the group consisted of seasoned drivers with low turnover – which speaks well for the drivers and the company, ” said Shimoda.

According to Darrell Burgess, Operations Manager of Tandet Logistics Division, “We welcome our clients taking that level of interest and appreciating the fact that distribution efficiency is a partnership process. Their commitment to address issues in the operations that affect their efficiency have nothing but positive results for both partners. We welcome the opportunity to show off our drivers and support teams when a client asks because we are proud of them.”

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Recognizing a Stroke … how to help others

Reportedly - a neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke...totally. The trick is recognizing a stroke and delivering the appropriate medical attention within 3 hours to avoid brain damage. The big issue is educating people to recognize stroke symptoms and to take action quickly. According to the doctor, a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:

RECOGNIZING A STROKE with 3 questions:

1. Ask the individual to SMILE
2. Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS
3. Ask the person to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE coherently (eg: It is sunny out today.)

If the person has trouble with any of these tasks - call 9-1-1 immediately – describe the symptoms to the dispatcher. This could result in prompt diagnosis and treatment of the stroke and prevent brain damage. Be a friend and share this information - you could save lives.

Safety Contest “iPod” winner:

This contest was initiated last September to stimulate higher awareness of the importance of Safety both at work and in our daily activities. Safety is a high priority for Tandet. The contest ended December 31st and a winner selected by a review of the submissions by Tandet staff.

The winner is: Andrew Box of Tandet Eastern Limited, who is being presented with his iPod prize by Dan Murphy, Operations Manager Parts& Service for Ottawa, Kingston & Peterborough, at Tandet’s Kingston Kenworth dealership location.

Andrew’s Safety Tip submission was: “Safety starts with you”

“The message was simple and straight forward,” says Glen Corbeil, Tandet’s Manager of Risk and Compliance, “safety starts with personal responsibility - and Andrew captured this sentiment in a simple and straight forward statement.”

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