and trace system. “It’s one of
the value-added services you
need to have in the business.
The future of our business is
information-based,” he says.
Operating across Canada, the
firm operates in a slightly dif-
ferent manner across the prov-
inces. “All four provinces are
unique, and it does present its
difficulties trying to do busi-
ness in those provinces…cus-
toms can be different in those
provinces, some of the rules
and regulations are slightly
different,” says Barnes. How-
ever he notes that Canada and
the United States operates
very much in the same way.
Overseas, ICECORP faces a
different set of challenges.
“It’s more problematic trying
to move freight in and out of
developing countries because
they do not have the infra-
structure we have in North
America,” says Barnes. As a
whole the logistics industry
has been hit with the reces-
sion. “It’s been a difficult pe-
riod over the last 5 years for
all of us in Canada…in logis-
tics it has been difficult, the
global recession has hit all of
us quite hard,” he says.
Despite challenges, ICECORP
continues to thrive. Most no-
tably, in May 2012 the firm
acquired ROE logistics Inc.
“They mirrored what we did,”
says Barnes about the de-
sire to acquire the company.
“We’ve added a significant
addition to our business in all
areas,” he adds.
Over the last 20 years the firm
has made over 16 acquisitions
and continues to strive to-
wards expansion through ac-
quisition. “We made a deci-
sion some time ago to grow
by acquisition. It enables you
to take the best out of merg-
ing two businesses together.
You have an influx of busi-
ness, but more importantly,
people. This generates more
ideas and an entrepreneurial
spirit.”
JANUARY 2014
H
business elite canada
111
