ESTEVAN - Estevan business JS Truckmart won twice at the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce's Achievement in Business Excellence (ABEX) Awards Saturday night in Saskatoon.
The company won the ABEX Business of the Year and the Growth and Expansion Award. The company was also a finalist for the diversity, equity and inclusion award.
Last year the company won all three awards at the Estevan Business Excellence Awards.
When it opened on Nov. 1, 2017, JS Truckmart had three full-time employees, a small shop with two dismantle bays, a small warehouse and offices. Last year the company moved into a new building on Viking Avenue, adjacent to the Shand Access Road southeast of Estevan, with four dismantle bays, an inventory bay, two wash bays, a full shipping-receiving area and new office space.
The company has grown to over 40 full-time employees despite the challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, rising interest rates, increasing business costs and a strained labour market.
Its employees have included students, retired truck drivers and Filipinos. JS Truckmart has made accommodations for employees' religious beliefs, single-parenting challenges, language barriers and more.
Christa Morhart, who is one of the co-owners of the business, said they are very proud of the recognition and all of their work. They were humbled and surprised to win.
"When you're in a room full of incredibly successful, like-minded individuals who have done incredible things from the ground up, businesses of all sizes with all different ownership structures, it's pretty humbling to be up on that stage receiving an award," said Morhart, who owns the business alongside her husband Bart, their friend Jeremy Swanson and silent partner Ed Turnbull.
Even though they have been recognized with two awards, including top business, they aren't going to relent.
"We still have all those same employees and their families relying on us to make sure that we're continuing with forward-thinking, setting goals, making plans and trying to stay ahead of the game every single day. It is a lot of work and we're committed, and I don't think anything has changed," said Morhart.
Swanson had the initial idea for the business, she said. Originally from the U.S., Swanson was selling automotive recycled parts when he came to Canada.
"He had a long history and built relationships with other automotive recyclers and earned their respect," said Morhart. "When he moved to Canada to be with his current partner and build his family, that's what he knew, and so the idea was formulated to start JS Truck Mart."
Turnbull helped out in the beginning to get things moving and offer encouragement. Christa Morhart brought the human resources, marketing and accounting knowledge to the table. Her husband has a Class 1A driver's licence and all sorts of experience with the automotive industry.
When Swanson shared his vision, Christa Morhart thought it would take five to 10 years to reach that point. Then the pandemic hit, and she never thought they could pull it off.
"We just worked hard and pivoted and found ways to make it work by committing and being there every day … and we lucked out by having a consultant from the States named Robert Harrington," said Morhart, noting that Harrington works remotely and has been a big help for JS Truckmart.
Morhart said they share the award with everyone on the JS Truckmart team.
"In order to have a well-oiled machine, we need every single employee there to be engaged and committed, and they want to be there," said Morhart.
When one of their staff members is missing, JS Truckmart feels that void. The entire team is needed to run the business, she said.
JS Truckmart said discipline is important every day in setting out and looking for a better way of doing things.
"It often goes unrecognized," said Morhart. "We are very proud because it's one of the pillars of sustainability. And it's not a given. Engaging our entire team is integral to our success."
The larger the team, the tougher it is, the company said.
Morhart added further praise in a post on her Facebook page.
"Thank you to the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce for organizing this event and recognizing the successes of the businesses that continue to contribute to the sustainability, economic growth and prosperity in Saskatchewan," she wrote.
Morhart also congratulated all of the nominees and winners and thanked the Estevan Chamber of Commerce for its continued support. Two chamber representatives were at the banquet.
JS Truckmart was one of several finalists for both the diversity and growth awards. Among the other finalists for the expansion award was Three Farmers Foods, whose founders and top management team hail from Midale.
All businesses nominated for an ABEX Award were eligible for the top business recognition.
