EDMONTON — One of the largest niche-bulk haulers in Western Canada just got bigger.

The RTL-Westcan Group, the offspring of the 2007 marriage between ice roads services provider RTL Robinson and tanker carrier Westcan Bulk Transport, has acquired ECL Transportation, a liquid bulk and van fleet in Edmonton.

The deal, which is subject to regulatory approval and other customary conditions, includes all the assets of ECL. It is expected to close near the end of March.

RTL-Westcan will rebrand the 150-truck ECL fleet under the group nameplate.

Current ECL President Jim Davis will be appointed president of RTL-Westcan and Tom Kenny will continue in his role as CEO.

"We are convinced that the issues facing the transportation industry call for a need to improve the efficiency and utilization of our assets," Davis stated in a press release.

The companies are all controlled by private- equity firm TriWest Capital Partners, which merged Westcan with ice hauler RTL Robinson in 2007 to create one of the largest niche commodity carriers in Western Canada. Later, it added the Gardewine Group from Paul’s Hauling — Westcan’s former parent — to its trucking portfolio. 

ECL’s roots date back to 1937, when Emil Fredericks founded Economy Feed and Transfer, a small feed and fuel operation. Over the next sixty-plus years, ECL would grow into a strong freight and bulk liquid carrier, which also provides oilfield specialty chemicals and fluids transport service.

"We see a strong need in Western Canada to consolidate in order to provide more efficient transportation options," Tom Kenny says in a press release. "ECL Transportation has exceptional drivers, an excellent safety record and a commitment to quality. Together, we create a dynamic new leader for the provision of bulk liquid and dry freight transportation customers throughout Western Canada."