Landtran Systems began out of a partnership between two longstanding transportation companies - Byers Transport and Prince George Warehousing.

Byers History

Byers Transport began as a partnership - between Jim Chapman and Morris Byers - in 1948. Chapman, a seasoned member of the transportation industry, was instrumental in the foundation of the Alberta Motor Transport Association (AMTA) and served as president for four years. Chapman was also a director of the Canadian Trucking Association for 19 years.

In 1959 Byers expanded to service the booming mining industry in Canada's northern territories. Through this experience, they became one of the first carriers to develop the ice roads of the Northwest Territories, used to transport goods to isolated mines operating in the area. It was this pioneering spirit that made them the first trucking company to deliver freight to the Arctic Coast.

In the 1970s, Byers' growth caught the attention of Pacific Western Airlines (PWA). Interested in strengthening their presence in the North, PWA purchased Byers and launched the company into a new stage of development. Monarch Transport and Byers were then merged under the new name of Pacific Western Trucking, and new terminals were created in Fort McMurray, Peace River and High Level.

The government purchased Pacific Western in 1974 and decided to sell its trucking division. Byers returned to an employee-owned operation when a group of 120 employees resolved themselves to buy the trucking division from the government. The 1970s saw new openings in Lloydminster, Hinton, Grande Cache and Jasper. The company purchased Oldhams Transport, which created new opportunities in southern Alberta and southeastern British Columbia. At the end of the decade, Laidlaw Transportation Limited purchased Byers through Grey Goose Corporation Ltd.

In the 1980s, Byers expanded their terminal complex in Edmonton to a 76,000 square foot facility equipped to handle over one million pounds of freight per day. Additional terminals were opened in Edson and Red Deer, Bonnyville, Cold Lake and Grande Centre.

On July 31,1987,however, Byers suffered a setback. The Black Friday tornado ripped through the Byers Terminal and destroyed nearly all of their trucks and much of their equipment. Fortunately, there were no severe injuries and this event served to bring everyone closer together as they rebuilt all that they had lost. In fact, the very next day they finalized a deal to purchase Yukon Freightlines, which expanded their northern operating rights.

Prince George Warehousing History

While Byers was growing its business, John Assman Sr. was building his trucking business, as well. He began trucking in the 1930s, hauling beer in the Prince George area. He was an employee of Prince George Warehousing until 1958 when he purchased it from the owner's estate.

John Assman Sr. passed his love of trucking on to his son Herb, who took over operations in 1971. Their business grew steadily, and they eventually began to service points all across British Columbia.

As Herb Assman began to expand the company, he decided to secure his place in the transportation industry by making a huge step. In 1990, he purchased Byers Transport from its current owner, Laidlaw, and added its huge base of operations to his transport division. Passing on the legacy to a third generation of the Assman family, Herb's son, John Assman Jr., became an integral part of the business operations as Chief Operating Officer.

Landtran Systems Inc. is Formed

As they now had control of many business units, in the early 21st century the Assmans decided to form an umbrella company under which these various companies could operate. And Landtran Systems Inc. was formed. John Assman Jr. took over operations and is now President of Landtran Systems.

Landtran Systems is now the parent company for six separate business units, including Byers Transportation Systems Inc., Continental Cartage Inc., Landtran Logistics Inc., Monarch Transport (1975) Ltd., Pacific Coast Express Limited, and Tli Cho Landtran Transport Ltd.