Highland Moving Turns 75 By Mark Kandborg
T
he year was 1938 and Peter Kachur had just bought himson, brought about another change. Thompson, head of the self a truck that carried his future. It came bundled with a world’s largest international moving company, said: “Come with company called Jim’s Express Transfer and Baggage Haulme to Hong Kong, and in three days you’ll know about internaing, Ltd. Legend has it that Peter kept the name Jim’s Express betional moving.” Upon his return, Don started looking for somecause he didn’t have the paint to change the writing on the doors. one with international experience to take Highland to the next What he did have was business sense, which he applied liberally level. Enter Paul Wielens, Highland’s International rating clerk to his little business, growing it bit by bit over the decades. and now, their CEO. International moving requires exceptional By the mid-60’s, Peter’s two sons, Norman and younger brother skills to navigate the regulations and paperwork involved. “We Don, were each considering ways of making their own mark in the ship everywhere,” Wielens says. “You name it, we’ll get it there.” world. Their father’s health was failing, so he offered his eldest the chance to take over the business. Norm agreed, and ran Jim’s Express successfully for the next 10 years. In 1974, younger brother Don bought into the company. The forming of that fraternal partnership was auspicious as it marked the germination of an entirely new business model. “We knew that delivering used furniture wasn’t the future,” Don Kachur, now president of the company, says. “We saw that MacCosham’s was rich, and we weren’t. So we said, let’s do what they’re doing.” They joined United Van Lines, bought land, built a warehouse and got down to the task of selling their services to the corporate sector. The company made bold decisions. “We went head-to-head with MacCosham’s to land a contract with Canadian Bechtel,” Don says. Bechtel needed a company to handle the employees that were about to transfer to Ft. Above: McMurray to build the massive Syncrude oil Paul Wielens, sands plant. “We got the job.” Don Kachur, and Norman and Don realized it was time to Casey Kachur change the name during a meeting with Brian continue a 75-year Ascough of PWA. There was one thing keeptradition in moving. ing them from landing the account. “Brian asked if we would feel safe flying to Calgary Right: They really on ‘Pete’s Airline’. We got the point.” Jim’s Exmean it when press and Baggage Hauling was re-imagined they say as Highland Moving and Storage, and in “we started in a 1994, Don Kachur assumed full ownership of garage.” the company. A few years later, a conversation between Don and a successful colleague, Jim Thomp-
Highland Moving & Storage Ltd. | 75th Anniversary
Secure, heated storage in Highland Moving’s modern warehouse.
Highland Moving now operates out of its new warehouse in Edmonton’s west end. Don’s son Casey became a managing partner three years ago and manages the Calgary operation. Including their Calgary Branch, they employ 36 office staff. With more than 60 trucks and up to 200 employees, they pride themselves on their ability to get the job done. It’s been 75 years since an ambitious man bought that first truck, but with 1,600 moves last year and a projected 2,000 in 2013, the future remains bright for this family business.
Highland Moving and Storage Ltd. on your 75th anniversary! Printing Impressions and Graphics is proud to be part of your success.
15305 – 128th Avenue N.W. Edmonton, Alberta T5V 1A5 Phone: 780-453-6777 • Fax: 780-453-6622 Email: info@highlandmoving.com www.highlandmoving.com
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Congratulations Highland Moving and Storage Ltd. on your 75th anniversary!
for 75 Years in Business! To view our portfolio of properties, visit:
www.dundeerealty.com R.M. Moving Supplies Plus Ltd. 5239 - 86 Street NW Edmonton, AB T6E 6T1 • Ph: 780-469-9198 • Fax: 780-469-9173 Toll Free: 1-866-469-9198 • www.rmmoving.ca
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Highland Moving & Storage Ltd. | 75th Anniversary