Taking advantage of opportunities
By Pat Rediger
It often seems like one opportunity leads to the next and that’s the case for Darin and Tina Stene. Situated in Shellbrook, the couple began Triple S Transport in 1995 to provide surrounding communities with grain hauling. As time passed, the company expanded to provide flat deck and tanker hauling, and about six years ago, they launched Green Earth Road Spraying, a complementary company that provides dust control, spraying, and manufactures and distributes liquid de-icer for road safety.
“Over the years, we have been through a lot,” said Darin. “We’ve seen labour shortages, fuel shortages, the pandemic and so on. Regardless of what the economy throws our way, we have remained proactive and resilient throughout all the changes needed to keep our business thriving.”
Darin grew up on a farm just outside of Shellbrook and his upbringing laid the foundation for his future career. At an early age, he learned how to operate all the different pieces of farm machinery and equipment, and he quickly developed a passion for the trucking industry. This passion eventually led him and Tina to start their own firm.
From those humble beginnings, the company has grown to 37 employees, and is always on the lookout for more drivers to join the team. Today, Triple S Transport has a full line of trailers including flat decks, step decks, a ten-wide tilt deck, super B flat decks and super B tankers. It also provides over-dimensional hauling and pilot car services. The company, which is 50 per cent Métis-owned, operates across Canada and is always looking for ways to expand its areas of service. Green Earth Spraying works within Saskatchewan.
The expansion into Green Earth took place about six years ago. Triple S Transport was contracted by Kortech, an Alberta company that produces and distributes calcium chloride, to transport their products. As they began working more closely together, Darin and Tina determined there was a future in becoming a distributor and established the new company.
“Green Earth Road Spraying provides a start-to-finish – and beyond – relationship with all our customers,” said Darin. “We haul the fluid, prep the roadways or coach the rural municipal operators on how to prep their roadways, spray the calcium chloride and follow up with the maintenance with all the rural municipalities that we work with. Each roadway is unique and must be treated as such. Proper preparation and maintenance are key for any roadway, and we make sure to be a part of both with all our customers.”
Heavy construction contractors in Saskatchewan often turn to Green Earth Road Spraying for its expertise in dust control. The company frequently receives inquiries about the benefits of dust control and the application rates needed to achieve optimal results.
“As dust control becomes increasingly sought after, we strive to provide the most effective solutions and remain at the forefront of the industry,” said Darin.
“Proper preparation and maintenance are key for any roadway, and we make sure to be a part of both with all our customers.”
– Darin Stene, Green Earth Road Spraying
Understanding calcium chloride
Green Earth Road Spraying uses a calcium chloride base stabilization to harden a road surface to reduce rutting from heavy traffic. It also reduces surface erosion and sedimentation, improves safety on the roads by reducing dust, raveling and wash boarding and lessens costly frost penetration. There are also different types and mixes of calcium chloride, some of which are less corrosive on roads compared to traditional de-icing rock salts, and others that are designed for roadways with little or no clay in the aggregate.
Darin and Tina’s dedication to their clients helps them stand out from competitors. Green Earth Road Spraying provides start to finish services and goes above and beyond to establish a strong relationship with customers. Due to the increasing demand, there is no shortage of work to go around. However, it can be difficult to schedule all the clients because Mother Nature sometimes has different plans.
Supply chain issues have also been a concern for the company. They have had trucks down for close to year while waiting for parts to arrive. Even now, they have several parts on backorder that are needed to repair trucks essential to business.
Being part of the Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association has been helpful to the company. SHCA provides excellent training and advice for those in the industry. Making connections and being able to phone others in the industry who have important information is extremely beneficial.
As family-run businesses, both Triple S Transport and Green Earth Road Spraying understand the importance of a healthy relationship with customers. Whether it is delivering goods from coast to coast, or providing much-needed road maintenance work, you can count on both companies to provide excellent service.