Excel Transportation, a third-generation, family-owned transport company that has served Prince George and northern British Columbia since 1985, confirmed today that it will not continue as a hauling contractor for Canfor following the closure of Canfor’s Northwood Pulp Mill.
“This is one of the most difficult announcements we’ve had to make in our company’s history,” said Annie Horning, CEO of Excel Transportation. “The decision is a direct result of the downturn in northern B.C.’s forestry sector, not a reflection of our team’s performance or safety record. We are already pivoting to chart the next chapter for this company.”
The closure of Northwood, which eliminated approximately 300 direct Canfor jobs, sharply reduced the volume of wood moving through the region and left insufficient supply to sustain three hauling contracts. Of the three companies competing for the reduced contract, Canfor did not select Excel Transportation to continue.
The company consistently ranked among the top performers on Canfor’s own KPI scorecards. Excel Transportation holds a strong safety record overall, including a 99 per cent rating on its most recent Certificate of Recognition (COR) safety audit, completed just two weeks before the contract decision.
“To every driver, mechanic, and member of our team—thank you,” said Carter Andersen, Vice President of Excel Transportation and a lifelong Prince George resident. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for this company and for our customers over the years. We built this business on trust, hard work, and a genuine commitment to doing things right, and none of that has changed. We are deeply disappointed by this decision and what it means for our people and our community. However, we could not be more proud of the team we’ve built.”
As a result, Excel Transportation expects to lose 90 per cent of its workforce in Prince George, with ripple effects extending to local suppliers and contractors. Excel is not declaring a permanent shutdown. The company will spend the coming months reviewing operations, adjusting fleet and workforce and pursuing new contract opportunities across northern B.C.’s forestry, industry and resource sectors.
“We’re not going anywhere,” said Horning. “We’ll take the time we need to right-size the business, support our people through the transition, and come out the other side, ready for what’s next.”
For the past five years, Excel Transportation worked almost exclusively with Canfor, investing in specialized equipment and adapting its operations to meet Canfor’s needs with flexibility and agility.
Founded in 1985, Excel Transportation is a third-generation, family-owned Prince George business led by the Andersen family. The company is known throughout the region for its operational expertise, professional drivers and strong safety culture.