That's a wrap! DUC's conservation message is on the move with Minimax Express

It’s 40 metres long, can weigh up to 55,300 kilograms and is now proudly spreading awareness about the work of Ducks Unlimited Canada, (DUC) across Ontario. Travelling the various highways from Quebec City to Windsor, a newly wrapped, conservation-themed tractor trailer from Minimax Express Transportation is taking the DUC message on the road!

At first glance, a trucking company and a wetland conservation organization might not have much in common, but everyone has a role to play in creating a sustainable future. Yves Poirier, president of Minimax explains:

“As a trucking company, we know the impact we have on the environment,” says Poirier, “so finding ways to make a positive impact is important to us. Our sustainability committee was interested in reducing that impact by planting trees or buying some land for conservation, but neither choice seemed appropriate.”

Wheels start turning on partnership

Luckily, an afternoon bike ride Poirier took with Jean Joanette, a DUC manager of volunteer and corporate fundraising changed everything. The two got to talking about DUC’s wetland conservation work across Canada and how landowners and businesses play a critical role.

Hearing about DUC’s mission, Poirier was intrigued. Not only did he commit to a $25,000 donation, he went even further—offering to wrap an entire tractor-trailer in DUC conservation messaging for all to see as it travels the corridor between Quebec City and Windsor.

“When I began to learn more about Ducks Unlimited Canada, I knew it was a good fit,” says Poirier. “There definitely wasn’t any arm-pulling involved. It’s a win for us, a win for Ducks and a win for the environment.”

Based out of Cornwall, Minimax Express has been operating since 1991 and it’s truly a family business. The family patriarch, Paul Poirier, started it. Marc Poirier is the firm’s vice-president, and both wives and children hold various positions as well.

Family and giving back steer the Minimax team

While transporting a variety of manufactured goods is what they do, their ‘secret sauce’ is their commitment to showing appreciation not only to their employees, but to the broader communities they serve. It’s not uncommon for the Minimax Express team to show up at their customers’ workplaces to host barbecues to say thank you for their business. Now, Minimax is adding wetland conservation to their business model.

“We’re at a stage now where we want to lighten our footprint,”  say Poirier. “With the wrapped tractor-trailer, we’re using what we have to do our part and we’re living up to our desire to be a responsible member of the communities we serve.”

Driving the DUC message home together

DUC welcomes the generosity and creativity Minimax has shown.

“This is a prime example of community leadership supporting wetlands conservation,” says Joanette. “With wetlands critical in providing clean drinking water, sustaining biodiversity, flood prevention and carbon sequestration.  We all benefit from Minimax’s initiative to support Ducks Unlimited Canada.”