Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/328689
S cott Biddle need only look at the past to get a sense of what's ahead for the ScotLynn Group of Companies. And surely, the president and CEO of the growing refrigerated goods carrier likes what he sees. "Every year has been our best year," says Biddle from the company's immacu- late headquarters in Vittoria, Ont., on the northern shores of Lake Erie. "I can't think of a year we haven't had at least 10 percent growth. "Recession? We haven't really experienced it." There aren't many companies that can make a claim like that. But there also aren't many whose commitment to perfor- mance, dedicated workforce and an all- Peterbilt fleet have differentiated it from other carriers almost since the com- pany's inception. Identifying a need ScotLynn Investments was initially founded in the late 1980s by Scott's father, Robert, as a local farming opera- tion that grew and processed sweet corn, apples and strawberries. Robert Biddle always relied on his own fleet of trucks to transport their produce to market, and it was this transportation element of the operation that piqued young Scott's interest early on. Eventually, Scott went on to form a for-hire trucking company called ScotLynn Commodities to expand on the fleet's utility. "We already understood how to trans- port produce," Scott says. "It made sense to get into the temperature-sensitive side of things as well. So we started hauling for local flower companies, as well as for other farmers. And we expanded our holdings at the Toronto Food Terminal and got involved with different commis- sion houses and brokers." Growing fleet The first four trucks to make up the fleet under Scott Biddle's watch were not Peterbilts. That was a mistake he would not make again. In 1994, he began a long streak of purchasing Peterbilt Model 379s, eventually transitioning to the Model 389 when Peterbilt upgraded its legendary long-nosed classic. Peterbilt Model 389s now comprise about 80 percent of ScotLynn's fleet of 300 tractors. Making up the rest of the fleet are Peterbilt Model 386s. "Our drivers love the 'long and tall,'" says Biddle, who specs all his tractors with 70-inch Unibilt® Sleepers. "This is more than a job for some of them. It's a lifestyle, and they're very proud of their equipment. And I don't think I can expect them to get into a truck that I wouldn't want to drive myself." Peterbilt Model 386s made their debut in the ScotLynn fleet about a year ago, primarily because they offered PACCAR MX engine availability. Fuel economy has been excellent in the new Model 386s, and reliability of the engines has been very good as well. "We looked closely at the history of that engine with DAF in Europe and we were very comfortable making that switch," he says. "And the 12.9-liter engine saves some weight over the 15-liter engines we had been running." The PACCAR MX is also available in the Peterbilt Models 389 and 388, and Biddle is looking closely at the Model 388 for future purchases. "It combines some aero features with the long and tall styling we like," Biddle says. ScotLynn tractors go to resale in as little as 36 months, over which time they'll amass as many as 650,000 miles with their numerous driving teams. Whether at auction, private sale or dealer trade, Biddle is always satisfied with the return on his Peterbilt equip- ment, and drivers are happy that their premium trucks are often new. Image is key And ScotLynn drivers are well aware of the impression their trucks make, both on the highway and at a client's dock. Image is a big part of the business, according to Biddle. "Impressive, late-model, clean ScotLynn Group of Companies remains on a strong growth curve Up in a Down Market "I don't think I can expect our drivers to get into a truck that I wouldn't want to drive myself." 18 FIRST CLASS Continued on page 20