WINNIPEG -- The Transport Institute at the University of Manitoba has established an award in the name of one of the province's most recognized trucking companies.

The Kleysen Award of Excellence in Logistics will be presented to the outstanding graduating student in the school's Certificate in Logistics Program.

Hubert Kleysen, former chairman of Kleysen Transport, has established an endowment for this award, as part of his continuing commitment to the transportation industry in Manitoba.

Hubert Kleysen and wife Bernice

The award will be officially announced at the 13th Annual Fields on Wheels Conference on Nov. 19, 2008 at the Fort Garry Hotel.

Hubert is known in his community as an outstanding entrepreneur and innovator. He was in his mid-twenties when his father suddenly passed away, and he took over the family fleet.

Under his watch, Kleysen Transport grew from a small-fleet family-run cartage company, to one of Canada's largest and most diverse for-hire carriers and logistics providers. The company has also spent the last few years growing its cross-dock transload and intermodal business.

In 2006, Kleysen Transport was sold to Mullen Income Fund. Hubert relinquished ownerships but stayed on as a trusted advisor and director.

When the university's Transport Institute began the Certificate in
Logistics program in 1995, Kleysen Transport stepped forward with financial support to make it a success.