Who will share your goals and values?
Twenty-nine years ago, Paul and Theresa Jenkins decided to take a risk and bet on themselves. Paul had worked several years in the freight industry and did not get deserved recognition. Employers would short pay, close divisions, or simply change priorities. Wanting to take control of their futures, the best way forward was to apply what they had learned from past experiences in their own venture. In March 1991, Champion Express Ltd was started on the dinner table at the family house.
With three children 
under the age of seven at the time, this was no small risk. Over the following years, Paul’s skills in sales allowed Champion to develop lasting customer relationships that continue to present day. Paul and Theresa were also able to add dedicated and skilled employees to their team, starting only months after founding Champion. These relationships allowed Champion to grow through the years.
Twenty- seven years and many ups and downs after starting Champion, Paul and Theresa decided they were ready to enjoy more time with their grandchildren. Having joined Champion in 2008, I was involved in operations, sales, and pricing. We weighed the difficult decision to keep Champion in the family or find it a new home.
With a new ownership group, the Jenkins family could return to being a family without the complications (and conflicts!) of also being coworkers. There were reservations due to the valued relationships with employees and customers that had allowed Champion to achieve so much. Many of these contacts had moved beyond formal business connections into friendship. It would not be right to transition Champion to a steward that would not deliver a similar commitment to our customers’ success.
Through the initial meetings and transaction process, we became confident the Kriska Transportation Group was the right place for Champion to continue our reputation as a dedicated service provider. Having completed the first year with KTG in May, it is readily evident that we made the right decision. Champion grew more in 2019 than any pre
vious year. We have not been shy about advertising our relationship to a trusted industry name like Kriska. Our customers see value in the added stability and capacity.
Champion’s value proposition to customers is that we allow them to leave logistics to us and focus on their core competencies. In much the same way, being part of KTG allows Champion’s employees to focus on their proficiencies. Myself included. Champion can place emphasis on driving new sales and executing operational excellence. These are the areas in which we have always excelled. We can direct our attention and resources to our strengths.
My Dad and I would often talk and dream about what it would be like to realize more of our ambitions and grow Champion. We always explored the limits of our capabilities, and took pride in our accomplishments. As part of KTG, Champion is in a better position than ever to achieve those goals.
Peter Jenkins
General Manager
Champion Express Ltd.