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President’s Corner
October 17, 2023
I’m so proud to share with you all that through the hard work of our amazing team, Highlight Motor Group has once again been honoured as one of Canada's Top Growing Companies by The Globe and Mail!
From the bottom of my heart, I thank our team for working together to create an incredible environment where every single member of the team strives for further success! Here is to our growth and continuing development, together!
KIRK KALINITCHENKO
Founder, President and CEO
Highlight Group of Companies
January 29, 2020
2019 was a great year for Highlight Motor Group. We were named Top Fleets to Drive For, we opened the doors on another mega terminal and we added to our fleet with brand new, top of the line Kenworth trucks. It was from these initiatives, investments and our incredible work ethic that we were recognized for the fourth year in a row as one of Canada’s Top 500 Fastest Growing Companies!
With the recognition and accolades comes a responsibility to give back. I’m so proud of our entire team for putting us in the position to be able to support our communities and charitable organizations. It is your hard work and dedication that brings our vision to life, drives our forward momentum and is ultimately what makes Highlight Motor Group the success that it is today.
To celebrate our success and show my appreciation for all of your hard work, we threw the biggest Christmas party in our company’s history with over 750 guests! What a blast! If you haven’t seen the video, view it in our website’s video gallery to see just how crazy a Highlight Christmas Night Party can be! In addition to the delicious food, entertainment, dancing, amazing prize giveaways and employee recognition, our employees stepped up once again to raise funds for the SickKids Foundation. Last year we set a goal to double the amount raised and I couldn’t be more ecstatic to tell you we flew passed our goal! Just like last year, I’ve committed to match all funds raised, dollar for dollar to donate towards a new SickKids children’s hospital being built in Toronto. We’ll be delivering the cheque to SickKids in the next few weeks. I couldn’t be happier with how this event went and want to thank you again for your generosity!
Now that 2019 is behind us, we need to look forward to making 2020 even better. We have big plans for further growth as we continue on our journey to provide our customers with the best service possible! So let’s keep up the great work and keep the momentum going!
KIRK KALINITCHENKO
Founder, President and CEO
Highlight Group of Companies
October 15, 2019
Our entire team has been working so hard and I’m very proud of all that we’ve been able to accomplish so far in 2019. The more we grow and succeed, the better we can serve our customers and the more we can give back to our communities and support those in need.
Last year during our company Christmas party, our team worked to raise funds for the SickKids VS fundraising campaign which aims to completely transform the Toronto SickKids hospital to help maintain its position as a world-class facility. The generosity shown by our team was wonderful and I’m hopeful that during this year’s company party, we’ll double our donation!
In addition to SickKids, Highlight also gave to Bikers Battling Cancer which is a charitable organization founded by Highlight driver, Don Smith. The support shown from our team at the charity’s Rockin’ The Ridge event in late June was just incredible. Seeing everyone come together to support their coworkers’ initiative for such a great cause is truly inspiring.
Earlier this year, I had the honour of going to the Kenworth assembly plant to see our new, 2020 T680 trucks coming off the assembly line. Starting up one of these trucks for the very first time was such a great experience and in May, we had 40 of these brand-new units hit the road. Our drivers work so hard and spend so much time in their trucks that we want to make sure they’re driving in the safest, most luxurious trucks possible. 2019 also marks our first year being named a Top Fleet Employer which just goes to show that if you continue to focus on keeping your team happy, the recognition is bound to follow.
Another milestone for Highlight in 2019 was the grand opening of our latest mega terminal in Chicago (Aurora) Illinois. The opening of this new terminal which has over 100,000 sq. ft. of warehousing space went about as smoothly as it could and everyone involved deserves a giant thank you for their tireless efforts to make this happen.
2019 is wrapping up but what a year it has been. To go along with the opening of our 4th terminal, I am so proud to say that for the 4th consecutive year, we were named as one of the Top 500 Fastest-Growing Companies in Canada. It’s hard to believe how quickly the time is going as it seems like just yesterday we received this distinction for the very first time!
Thank you once again to our Highlight family and to our valued customers and suppliers. Let’s continue to work hard and push for even further growth in 2020. There are exciting times ahead for Highlight but for now, I’m looking forward to ending 2019 on a high note and celebrating with you all in true Highlight-fashion at our company party in December!
Kirk Kalinitchenko
Founder, President and CEO
Highlight Group of Companies
October 23, 2018
I really can’t believe 2018 is coming to an end. It went by at lightning speed but that didn’t keep us from accomplishing many amazing things along the way.
We ranked #11 in the fastest growing Canadian transportation companies in 2018, receiving the Growth 500 award across all industries for the third consecutive year. To me, that speaks volumes about the consistency and quality we create together as the Highlight Motor Group team.
One year after opening our Los Angeles operation we were able to expand our presence there opening a new terminal in August of 2018. We provide our full suite of services and focus on connecting California and Canadian markets. It’s one more step to even greater things to come.
We launched our driver school in 2018 and are working closely with the best institutions to bring new, well trained drivers into the workforce. We are not sitting back and crying about how hard it is to find great drivers. We are creating solutions that will greatly benefit our continued growth as a company.
On a lighter note, having your company “go to the dogs” can be a good thing. That’s right, we are a pet-friendly transportation company. Our drivers can bring their canine friends on the road and even into our drivers’ lounges at our various terminals. Pets make a great companion. We encourage that companionship and want Highlight Motor Group to be known as a company that understands and cares about keeping our driving force happy and healthy.
The Holiday season is a great time to step back and truly appreciate your family and friends. I want you to know that Highlight Motor Group is also here as part of your extended family. Together we have built a fantastic company and I look forward to working with you all to make 2019 another banner year!
Happy Holidays Everyone!
Kirk Kalinitchenko
Founder, President and CEO
Highlight Group of Companies
December 21, 2017
The celebration of our 10 year anniversary is behind us as we look to 2018 and another fantastic year for Highlight Motor Group. We’ve accomplished so much during this time and that is a testament to our staff, driving force and most of all our valued customers. These all play a critical part in our success story.
In 2017, we expanded our operation to California and for the second consecutive year, recognized as one of Canada’s Fastest Growing Companies. We continued to upgrade our equipment throughout 2017 and put the technology in place to be ELD Compliant for the December 18, 2017 deadline.
Our team is growing too and we are now over 200 people strong across our Canada/USA service area. Along with being ELD Compliant, that same technology will give us a wealth of new information to create greater efficiencies and partner even closer with our customers, improving KPIs across the board.
This holiday season is a time to enjoy friends and family and set our goals for the New Year. Thank you one and all for your hard work, professionalism and loyalty. Because of you, our company will flourish and take further steps on our journey for continuous improvement and success in 2018!
Merry Christmas Everyone!
Kirk Kalinitchenko
Founder, President and CEO
Highlight Group of Companies
July 4, 2017
As we ramp up for the last half of 2017, I am very excited to announce that on July 5, 2017 our new facility in Los Angeles, California will be open for business. We’ve put a lot of planning into this new venture and I believe it will be a game changer for our company.
We have an experienced team in place at our Los Angeles location with decades of experience in dispatch, sales and cross-dock operations. We will be offering LTL and Truckload service with daily departures within the U.S. and to and from all our service points in Canada. Our ability to consolidate our customers’ LTL shipments more effectively allows us to operate leaner and pass that savings on to our valued customers. Service times are also improved with Highlight’s new California service.
We will be promoting this new offering through a digital marketing strategy. We have access to a large shipper audience with high demands to connect Canada and California markets. Our modern van and reefer equipment meet the stringent EPA requirements and we are all systems go to become an LTL and Truckload leader to and from California.
As we continue to celebrate our 10th anniversary (2007-2017) there will be more growth and innovation. Thank you to all our loyal customers, suppliers and our Highlight Team for helping make 2017 a resounding success!
Sincerely yours,
Kirk Kalinitchenko
Founder, President and CEO
Highlight Group of Companies
February 1, 2017
I am anticipating another outstanding year for Highlight in 2017. We built great momentum in 2016, growing by 28% and Profit Magazine named us as one of Canada’s Fastest Growing Companies. We ranked 7th overall in the transportation sector and are very pleased to receive this recognition for our company’s efforts.
I would like to thank our customers, suppliers and our Highlight Team for making this achievement possible and invite you all to help us celebrate our 10th year anniversary (2007-2017). We will continue to improve processes and overall performance by measuring and managing the KPIs that are critical to your growth and success.
We launched our website in 2016 and will continue to market our company aggressively through online methods, promotions, trailer wraps and face-to-face presentations by our sales force.
As always, we will continue to work diligently to serve you, our valued customers, and deliver our very best effort with every shipment placed in our care. By the skid or by the truckload, you can count on each member of our team to deliver “Highlight Quality Service” throughout Canada and the USA.
Sincerely yours,
Kirk Kalinitchenko
Founder, President and CEO
Highlight Group of Companies
January 1, 2016
Thanks to everyone involved, who help me achieve my dream to build a new wave of transportation "in style" that reflects everything I believe in, has become a reality. I would personally like to thank our customers, suppliers and the entire Highlight Team for helping make that possible. Last year was a banner year for us and will serve as a foundation for further growth this year and for many years to come.
Our recent expansion in Concord, ON has come together nicely, providing a great work environment for our people and lots of room for expansion. We have been fortunate to have grown our business by 40% per year for the last 5 years and we will continue to grow to serve the needs of our customers. We’ve recently introduced a new tridem service in Canada and our expedited tailgate service to the eastern seaboard has received a great response from our customers. Our fleet has grown by 100 power units, proudly flying our bold Highlight colours. We have launched our website and though it took some time to come together, we hope you find the approach to our online presence entertaining and informative.
We work hard and take great pride in every aspect of our company. We have become a leader in LTL and Truckload service and offer a host of value added offerings to better serve our customers. As we approach our 10 Year Service Anniversary, I would like to take this time to thank you all once more. Your ongoing support is truly appreciated.
Sincerely yours,
Kirk Kalinitchenko
Founder, President and CEO
Highlight Group of Companies
