Photos by Peter Haughland CGD
REBEL HEART TRUCKING CELEBRATES 25 YEARS
We Solve Problems By Nerissa McNaughton
I
n 1994 Norm and Deb Kellert purchased a fleet of four trucks and launched Rebel Heart Water Hauling Ltd.
“When the company was founded, its sole purpose was to provide water services for drilling rigs and oil companies throughout Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia. However, during spring break up, extended rain periods and drilling downturns, there was little to no work, which made it challenging to hold onto staff,” explains Joshua Laczko, president and CEO. Laczko joined Rebel Heart as a part-time employee in 2012. Within a few short years his work ethic, ambition and innovations resulted in his purchasing the business from the Kellerts and earning a Top 40 Under 40 nomination. “In the spring of 1999, it was decided that the company would expand into gravel trucks for the local construction industry,” Laczko continues. “This diversification would broaden the revenue sources, help smooth out the cyclical stresses of the business, and reduce downtime, thus improving our driver retention and expanding the fleet. Upon entering the local construction market, our reputation for timely
Rebel Heart Trucking | 25 Years 82
Josh Laczko
and dependable services grew and we gained larger contracts.” The company grew rapidly. Following the 2014 energy crash, Laczko applied the same diversification strategy as his former boss and mentor, enabling Rebel Heart to expand its services, adding vacuum trucks to the fleet and acquiring other companies despite adverse economic conditions.