Day & Ross tracking

Freight transport in Canada since 1950

Day & Ross was founded in 1950 in Hartland, New Brunswick, by Elbert Day and Walter Ross. The first shipment transported by the company consisted of a delivery of potatoes from their home province to Quebec. At a time when rail dominated freight transport, betting on trucking was bold; nevertheless, the young company quickly expanded its fleet and services.

By the late 1950s, the agri-food company McCain Foods (also from New Brunswick) became one of Day & Ross's main clients. Faced with McCain's growth and increasing logistical challenges, McCain acquired a majority stake in Day & Ross in 1966, making it a subsidiary of the McCain Foods Limited group. Under this new impetus, Day & Ross continued to grow: by the late 1960s, its fleet already had about 800 trucks: and the company established itself as one of Canada's most successful carriers. Over the decades, it expanded its footprint nationwide and then into the United States through a series of strategic mergers and acquisitions.

Among notable developments, Day & Ross acquired Sameday Worldwide in 1992 to diversify into expedited delivery and courier service. The company entered the U.S. market in 2007 through a partnership with carrier R+L Carriers for cross-border freight services. Other acquisitions strengthened its offering, including REI Logistics and Korten Quality Systems in 2017, Stonehammer Transport in 2018, as well as carriers A&S Kinard and Buckler Transport in 2019. These successive expansions have consolidated Day & Ross's presence across North America.

Historically structured into specialized divisions (general freight, express parcel, logistics, dedicated fleet, etc.), the company decided in 2020 to consolidate all its services under the single brand Day & Ross. This brand unification aims to clarify its offering and facilitate the continued growth of its activities.

Today, Day & Ross remains based in Hartland and is still a wholly-owned subsidiary of McCain Foods. The company employs more than 7,500 people (employees, drivers, and owner-operators) and has grown from a simple regional carrier to one of the North American leaders in transport and logistics.

Organization and Services of Day & Ross

Thanks to sustained growth, Day & Ross now offers diversified services covering all the transport and logistics needs of its clientele. The company is structured around several complementary segments, allowing it to address both palletized industrial freight and parcel delivery to individuals.

Among its main areas of activity:

• LTL and TL Freight Transport: handling "less than truckload" (LTL) shipments as well as full truckloads (TL) throughout Canada, with extension to cross-border shipments to the United States and Mexico. Day & Ross can transport a wide range of goods, offering standard closed trailers, temperature-controlled trailers (heated or refrigerated) for sensitive products, as well as specific equipment such as flatbed semi-trailers for oversized cargo. The company is also authorized to transport hazardous materials in accordance with Canadian and American regulations.
• Parcel Delivery and Residential Services (Commerce Solutions): services inherited from Sameday Worldwide, specializing in direct-to-consumer delivery. This segment manages the delivery of parcels, including large ones, to residential addresses, and is widely used by retailers and e-commerce companies wishing to quickly ship their products to end customers.
• Dedicated Customer Services (Dedicated): setting up dedicated fleets operating in the client's colors, with assigned drivers and reserved equipment. This offer corresponds to regular and large-volume needs (for example, scheduled shuttles to supply factories) to ensure reliable and customized transport for the contractual client.
• Global Logistics Solutions: third-party logistics services, encompassing warehouse management, cross-docking, distribution, and transport organization. This component allows Day & Ross to offer complete supply chain solutions to companies seeking a single partner to manage all their logistics flows.

In addition to this range, Day & Ross offers value-added services to meet specific needs. For example, clients can opt for guaranteed delivery on a specific date or request special handling of fragile goods. Temperature-controlled transport is also one of the company's specialties, as are other customized solutions aimed at ensuring reliable delivery in accordance with the specific requirements of each shipment.

As an indication, for domestic shipments in Canada, a standard Day & Ross service involves an average lead time of 1 to 5 business days depending on the distance, while expedited delivery options can reduce transit to about 1 to 3 days for urgent shipments. Delivery times for international shipments are more variable and depend notably on the destination, customs clearance formalities, and the chosen service. Day & Ross thus adapts its service levels to meet its clients' time constraints.

Geographical Presence and Network

Historically concentrated in Canada, Day & Ross now operates on a continental scale. Its North American network includes more than 240 sites (terminals, warehouses, and offices) spread across Canada and the United States. In Canada, the company has facilities in every province, allowing it to offer direct coverage to more than 90% of the Canadian population. The main national transport corridors, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, are served thanks to these strategically positioned terminals.

Day & Ross has also expanded its operations in the United States, notably through acquisitions of local carriers and the opening of dedicated logistics centers. For its cross-border parcel services, the company relies on an exclusive partnership with carrier R+L Carriers, one of the largest LTL networks in the United States, to ensure seamless delivery across the border. Day & Ross's geographical reach extends to Mexico for shipments requiring transit to this country, via logistics agreements with specialized local partners.

The headquarters of Day & Ross has remained in the rural town of Hartland (New Brunswick), where it was founded, highlighting the company's attachment to its roots while serving a now continental market. Regional offices and operational centers are present in the main economic hubs of Canada and the United States, reflecting the group's expanded footprint.

Infrastructure and Transport Fleet

Day & Ross operates a large fleet of road vehicles and logistics infrastructure. Its transport capacity relies on more than 5,500 power units (road tractors and straight trucks) in circulation, complemented by a fleet of about 9,150 trailers of various types. Among these are numerous standard 53-foot closed trailers, but also a high percentage of refrigerated units (reefers) and trailers equipped with "protect from freezing" heating systems to prevent the freezing of sensitive cargo during winter. The fleet also includes flatbed semi-trailers for the transport of oversized goods, reflecting the diversity of equipment mobilized by the company.

In parallel, Day & Ross has a vast network of terminals and distribution centers to consolidate and manage freight flows. Its facilities include modern loading docks and storage areas allowing for the grouping, sorting, and transshipment of goods between different trucks. The company has dozens of terminals across its network, including several major sorting centers near large urban centers. To ensure a high level of service, the fleet is maintained and renewed regularly: Day & Ross invests in recent vehicles that comply with the latest environmental standards and in efficient handling equipment (for example, a growing proportion of electric forklifts in its warehouses). These material infrastructures, combined with the company's geographical footprint, ensure reliable and fast connections between the different regions served.

Technologies and Innovation

Aware that technology plays a crucial role in modern transport, Day & Ross invests heavily in its information systems and digital tools. The company has established an internal innovation center called "Business Agility sorting center," where a team of about 80 IT specialists is dedicated to the continuous improvement of processes and services. These experts develop and implement new solutions to increase operational efficiency and offer more visibility to clients. Recent technological initiatives include the deployment of a new centralized transport management system (TMS), the introduction of a delivery route optimization tool for the last mile, the improvement of EDI integration for standardized data exchange (e.g., automation of loading slips and electronic bills of lading), as well as the provision of API services allowing direct and real-time connection to clients' systems.

On the client side, Day & Ross offers a range of digital tools to simplify and speed up shipment management. Through the company's online portal, shippers can obtain instant rates, schedule pickups, electronically fill out documents (waybills, labels), and track the progress of their shipments in real-time. For large volumes or advanced integration, application programming interfaces (APIs) are available to directly link the client's information system (e.g., ERP or logistics software) to the Day & Ross network, providing immediate status updates and automation of transport orders. A dedicated tool named "Dart" also allows e-commerce merchants to integrate batch shipment preparation via a user-friendly cloud platform. Finally, for partners with more traditional infrastructure, Day & Ross supports Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) according to industry standards, while assisting the transition to more flexible and modern solutions. All these technologies ensure increased transparency, better operational efficiency, and an optimized client experience throughout the shipping process.

Sectors Served

Day & Ross counts among its clients companies from multiple sectors of activity. The main industries to which it provides transport services include:

• Automotive (manufacturers, equipment suppliers, and providers (Day & Ross has, for example, been recognized four years in a row as Supplier of the Year by General Motors:)
• Agri-food (food, beverages, and perishable food products)
• Retail (distribution to stores and end customers)
• Manufacturing industry (industrial goods and spare parts)
• Agriculture (agricultural products and supplies)
• Pharmaceutical and healthcare (medicines, medical equipment)
• Aerospace and defense (specialized and sensitive equipment)
• Construction materials (building products, wood, steel, etc.)
• Chemicals (chemical raw materials, petrochemical products)
• Consumer goods (packaged consumer products)

The variety of this clientele illustrates Day & Ross's ability to adapt its services to the specific requirements of each field. From agri-food to the pharmaceutical sector, through retail, industrial manufacturing, or agriculture, the carrier has accumulated diverse experience that allows it to understand and anticipate the specific constraints of each industry. Whether managing just-in-time flows for an automotive assembly line, transporting perishable goods under temperature control, or handling hazardous materials in regulatory compliance, Day & Ross has the skills and resources necessary to serve as a reliable logistics partner for companies in these sectors.

Commitment to Sustainability

As a major player in road transport, Day & Ross takes its environmental responsibility seriously. Aware that its use of fossil fuels (diesel, gasoline) contributes to emissions, the company deploys innovative means to minimize its carbon footprint and ecological impact. A dedicated Environment & Innovation team leads this strategy, staying on the lookout for new green technologies and forming partnerships to test emerging sustainable solutions in the field. For example, before adopting electric trucks, Day & Ross analyzes the local energy mix to maximize ecological benefits: the company has thus chosen to deploy its first electric trucks in Quebec, a province whose electricity is almost 100% renewable, rather than in regions with a carbon-based network, to ensure a real gain in emissions compared to diesel. Similarly, Day & Ross is among the pioneering carriers experimenting with new technologies in real conditions (such as a 100% electric yard truck at its York, Pennsylvania site) and shares its feedback with suppliers to improve these innovations before wider deployment. Finally, the company ensures that its teams are trained in best practices and the proper use of this equipment to fully benefit from it in a sustainable perspective.

Fleet Optimization:

• Electric trucks are being tested in the Day & Ross fleet (notably Lion Electric and Freightliner eCascadia models operating in Quebec), with an estimated reduction of about 40 tons of CO ₂ per truck per year compared to diesel.
• Since 2019, about 1,200 aerodynamic devices have been installed at the rear of trailers (tail fins), improving truck profiling and reducing fuel consumption.
• More than 100 long combination vehicle (LCV) sets are deployed on highways, increasing transport efficiency by at least 35% compared to standard configurations.
• Beyond road tractors, Day & Ross has converted more than 60% of its handling equipment fleet (forklifts) to electric power, eliminating direct emissions from these machines at its logistics sites.
• The continuous rejuvenation of the fleet improves its environmental footprint: more than 300 vehicles have been replaced with new models over the past 12 months, resulting in cleaner engines, better fuel economy, and the adoption of technologies such as automatic engine shutdown at idle.
• Finally, the new refrigerated trailers acquired use a new generation refrigerant (R452A) whose global warming potential is reduced by 50% compared to the old standard refrigerant (R404A).

Eco-friendly Infrastructures:

• Day & Ross has defined an internal environmental standard for the design of its terminals and warehouses across North America, aiming to incorporate the best energy-efficient practices from the construction stage.
• Its most recent facilities (new constructions or renovations) thus integrate rooftop solar panels, geothermal or high-efficiency heating and cooling systems for office spaces, high-performance insulating walls on loading docks, full LED lighting, a fleet of electric forklifts, and even charging stations for employees' electric vehicles.
• Furthermore, Day & Ross conducts regular energy audits of its buildings, which has reduced its cumulative electricity consumption by about 2.4 million kWh per year since 2017.
• In recognition of its commitment to these sustainable development initiatives, Day & Ross has received an EcoVadis bronze medal, recognizing its performance in environmental, social responsibility, and corporate governance matters.

Shipment Tracking and Tracking Numbers

Day & Ross provides its clients with an online tracking system to trace ongoing shipments. Each shipment is assigned a unique tracking number (also called a bill of lading number or PRO number in LTL transport). This code, typically about ten alphanumeric characters long, most often starts with three letters followed by a sequence of numbers. For example, a tracking number may take the form ABC1234567. By entering this number on the Day & Ross web portal, the shipper or recipient can access real-time tracking information for their shipment, without needing a specific account.

The Day & Ross tracking system records and displays all the important stages of a parcel's transit, from its initial pickup to its final delivery. At each checkpoint (pickup, departure or arrival at a terminal, out for delivery, etc.), a scan is performed and updates the shipment's status in the database. These successive updates allow knowing the position or status of a shipment at any time. Tracking applies to both domestic deliveries and cross-border shipments, offering complete transparency even during customs clearance and transfer to partners in the United States or elsewhere. The main tracking statuses used by Day & Ross are standardized and explicit; they are detailed below with their meaning in English:

Day & Ross Tracking Statuses