4 minute read
The Other Bottom Line
Barges, trucks and families: City Transfer gives back
For three generations, City Transfer has been part of Powell River’s everchanging economic landscape. This legacy began back in 1947 when Bert Long and partners purchased City Transfer two years after it was officially registered in 1945. Following a successful first generation, Bert’s son, Harold, began growing the company alongside the community and through strategic acquisitions created the framework of City Transfer. Today, Harold’s two sons, Craig and Phill, represent the third generation. Providing transportation services for Powell River and the Sunshine Coast for over 75 years makes City Transfer a corner stone of our community. Tony Shigeoka, City Transfer’s vice president of customer relations, talked to qathet Living.
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What is your “triple bottom line”? How do you add social value to this community?
Our triple bottom line is helping kids and young families. Giving support to young families also supports our future. As a company we have supported our local food bank, Rotary, sports teams, school grads, charity events, individuals in need, and local clubs. Over the years Harold and Craig have helped countless families through some very tough situations without recognition.
We understand how important it is to support our community through a constantly changing economic environment and strive to do so in our daily operations.
Have you always done this?
Giving back is, and has always been, important. The Long family have lived here for four generations and have grown to deeply care about the community. Much of this was done anonymously, to keep the focus on the person/family in need, rather than the company and recognition for such. It is a goal of our team to keep this legacy going.
We are proud to work with inclusion Powell River’s K-Lumet (now “OneLight”) project. Craig had no hesitation to support them by transporting their in-coming and out-going products, free of charge. This is a special program because it commits to employing individuals of all ability levels. We strongly believe in inclusiveness and that everybody deserves a fair chance at life, so there was no question about supporting them.
Do you have a personal connection to this cause?
I’m proud to have been a part of this family legacy for 31 years.
City Transfer has volunteered a driver, truck, and trailer for the Lions Club and Assumption School’s Christmas Parade floats for many years. When my own kids were young, I loved volunteering to drive the Santa Claus float for the Lions Club; my kids had a blast riding in the truck, and a few years later were invited to ride in the sleigh with Santa. They were the envy of all their friends!
As my kids got older, I passed the torch on to other staff members with young kids, who I’m sure had just as much fun. It made me feel personally connected to this event, because it was such a focal point of Christmas time for our family and the community.
What kind of practical support do you get, and from whom, to help you achieve this social value?
Our frontline staff keeps us connected with the communities we serve. Over the years, we have developed life-long relationships with our customers due to their commitment and hard work which has become a way of life.
Organizations like qathet Living, Coast FM and The Powell River Peak, as well as many groups and clubs, also help keep us connected to all the social and community events that are so important to our health and welfare.
Have there been any hiccups or challenges that others could learn from?
We are grateful to have persevered through COVID. If not for our frontline staff, we never would have made it through to this point. We really supported each other, which I believe brought us closer together as a team.
One event we annually participate in that was affected by COVID, is the Stuff the Trailer event for the Food Bank. This past year has been a tough one; quick thinking by the event organizers made it the success that it was. It was truly amazing to see and be a part of this.
What do you hope is the legacy of this work?
The aim of our work is to produce a lasting, beneficial impact on the community and its individuals. We hope that this will continue for future generations of City Transfer.
What advice do you have for other businesses who might want to add social value to their bottom line?
We take inspiration from other small, local businesses. Our community (and the business within) has such high social values, with a communal standard of giving back, which inspires us to do the same. We can all learn from each other.
