In the unpredictable landscape of global shipping, the recent years have tested the resilience of supply chains like never before. The ripple effects of the pandemic have touched every corner of our lives, from empty grocery store shelves to delays in essential goods. Pandemic-driven purchasing surges, worldwide food shortages, stringent border controls, and even the growing threat of cargo theft have collectively strained the global shipping industry under unprecedented pressure.
Amidst these formidable challenges, Kam Way Transportation Inc. has emerged as a critical player in maintaining the flow of goods across the United States and Canada. Leveraging its extensive fleet and a team of highly skilled drivers, Kam Way Transportation has adeptly navigated the ever-shifting complexities of the pandemic era. They have not only played a vital role in ensuring the consistent availability of food and essential products in stores but have also achieved significant business growth, created new employment opportunities, actively supported non-profit organizations, and championed public awareness initiatives against human trafficking.
From Family Roots to a Transnational Transportation Leader
The story of Kam Way Transportation began in the mid-2000s in Fresno, California, with founder and CEO, Kam Sihota, and his wife, Harneet Sihota, who serves as the company’s Human Resources Director. Drawing upon his deep-rooted experience in the transportation sector, Kam envisioned building a respected brand synonymous with innovative and reliable transportation solutions for the produce and retail industries throughout the US and Canada. Driven by this ambition, the Sihotas explored opportunities in British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest, drawn by Harneet’s Vancouver origins and the strategic cross-border location.
A pivotal moment arrived in 2007 when fluctuations in the Canadian dollar’s value created a unique market opportunity. The Canadian dollar’s rise to parity with the US dollar for the first time in decades shifted trade dynamics.
“This parity created a situation where fewer Canadian trucks were heading south into the U.S.,” explains Kam Sihota. “We identified a substantial demand for transportation services into Canada. We found our niche by utilizing U.S.-based trucks to transport goods to Blaine, Washington, where drivers authorized to cross the border would then transfer the cargo for final delivery within Canada. It was a case of being in the right place at the right time. By April 2008, we had established our own freight brokerage in Blaine,” marking the formal beginning of Kam Way Transportation Inc.
For those unfamiliar, a freight brokerage acts as an intermediary in the shipping process. Kam Way Transportation brokers connect shippers with owner-operators—independent drivers who own their trucks—to facilitate the pickup and delivery of goods-laden trailers. The brokerage manages all logistical and administrative tasks related to drivers and vehicles, ensuring safe, compliant, and dependable delivery, allowing shippers and receivers to concentrate on their core business activities. Today, Kam Way Transportation’s brokerage network encompasses approximately 35 contractors, representing over 7,700 carriers throughout the U.S. and Canada, a testament to their expansive reach in the transportation industry.
“Around 2012, we began a gradual expansion into asset-based trucking,” adds Harneet Sihota. “We established our primary terminal and fleet headquarters in Sumner, Washington, where we recruit and train our own team of professional drivers.” This strategic move allowed Kam Way Transportation to control more of the transportation process directly.
While initially focused on Canadian routes, Kam Way Transportation quickly broadened its scope to encompass the movement of food and retail products across the entire United States. This expansion solidified Kam Way Transportation Inc.’s position in the North American supply chain.
“If you are a regular shopper at major retailers such as Costco, WinCo Foods, Walmart, Albertsons, or Kroger, there is a high probability that you have purchased products that Kam Way Transportation indirectly helped deliver,” Kam Sihota points out. “We function as the crucial link between growers, packers, retailers, manufacturers, or shippers and their vital distribution centers and retail outlets.”
The diversity of commodities handled by Kam Way Transportation is remarkably broad. From fresh produce and frozen foods to furniture, pet supplies, live seafood, construction materials, and paper goods – their portfolio is extensive. This wide range of transported goods underscores the versatility and comprehensive service offerings of Kam Way Transportation Inc.
Kam Way Transportation’s growth trajectory continues with strategic expansions in capabilities and network reach. This ongoing development ensures Kam Way Transportation remains at the forefront of the evolving transportation industry.
“We have successfully acquired two companies in the past three years,” Kam Sihota notes, highlighting Kam Way Transportation’s proactive approach to growth and market leadership.
Currently, the Kam Way Transportation fleet boasts over 150 trucks, 500 dry vans, and 360 trailers, including a significant number of refrigerated units (more than 80). This substantial asset base enables Kam Way Transportation to handle a wide array of transportation needs with efficiency and reliability.
The Human Factor: Kam Way Transportation’s Key to Success
“Our growth from a team of just three in 2008 to over 275 driving and non-driving personnel today is a direct reflection of our team’s dedication,” Kam Sihota emphasizes. A key addition to the leadership team was Money Singh, Vice President of Sales and Operations, who joined in 2014 and has since become a partner in the business. “Money’s strategic vision and forward-thinking approach have been instrumental in expanding our customer base, contributing to over 400,000 shipments to date,” Kam Sihota acknowledges. “Currently, approximately 90% of our operations involve shipments within the U.S., including a substantial 1,200 to 2,500 brokerage shipments each month,” demonstrating the significant scale of Kam Way Transportation’s operations.
By 2018, Kam Way Transportation had achieved reported revenues exceeding $79 million, a clear indicator of its rapid growth and market success in the competitive transportation sector.
Kam Way Transportation prioritizes employee development through comprehensive training and incentive programs designed to educate, retain, and unify both driving and non-driving teams. This focus on human capital is central to Kam Way Transportation’s operational philosophy.
“Our company culture is of paramount importance to us,” Harneet Sihota states. “The shipping industry can be inherently demanding, with logistics involving numerous dynamic elements. Starting as a small family business, we have preserved the foundational values and commitment to our employees even as we’ve expanded. Our ongoing objective is continuous improvement and growth, fostering a workplace where individuals are motivated to come to work each day.”
This commitment to staff extends to supporting employees’ educational pursuits, providing training on cutting-edge software and shipping technologies, and nurturing managerial skills. Kam Way Transportation invests in its employees’ professional advancement.
“We actively encourage employee feedback and self-reflection,” Kam Sihota adds. “Every individual who has contributed to Kam Way Transportation over the past 13 years has left a valuable mark. We are dedicated to ensuring equal opportunities for growth, development, and success for everyone within our organization.”
Kam Way Transportation’s community engagement includes participation in the Whatcom Business Alliance’s YES Whatcom program. This initiative raises awareness among young people about local career opportunities, hands-on learning, paid internships, and apprenticeship programs within Whatcom County businesses. These opportunities not only connect youth with valuable career paths but also contribute to the economic vitality of the local community, showcasing Kam Way Transportation Inc.’s commitment beyond its business operations.
Navigating the COVID-19 Pandemic: Kam Way Transportation’s Adaptability
“The pandemic’s impact has been global and far-reaching. We witnessed customer shutdowns and understandable employee anxieties about working,” Kam Sihota recounts. “The early stages of the pandemic necessitated rapid adjustments in customer interactions with drivers, office protocols, and operational procedures. However, as a critical component of the food and retail supply chain, our responsibility and opportunity was to maintain the flow of essential goods.”
Certain segments of Kam Way Transportation’s business experienced growth due to shifting consumer behaviors during lockdowns. For instance, the shipping of pet supplies saw a significant surge, mirroring the rise in pet adoptions during the pandemic.
“Navigating the pandemic required Kam Way Transportation to develop adaptive strategies to respond to near-daily shifts in customer demands, public needs, and evolving regulations,” Kam Sihota explains. “The key lessons from the pandemic are the imperative to adapt quickly, maintain flexibility, and strategically understand our service to both customers and staff. Responsiveness to unexpected changes has become paramount.”
Like many sectors, Kam Way Transportation faced challenges such as driver shortages, exacerbated by trucking school closures, driver health concerns, and other factors. Delays in the delivery of new trucks and trailers due to manufacturing slowdowns further compounded logistical issues. These nationwide challenges have contributed to increased shipping costs, ultimately impacting the prices of goods both domestically and internationally.
“We have implemented company-wide driver pay increases and are planning further increases to both retain our valued drivers and support our growth objectives,” Kam Sihota states. “We intend to add 90 power units to our existing fleet of 150 in the coming year. Attracting and retaining skilled drivers is crucial to effectively utilize these new trucks.”
Social Responsibility and Community Engagement at Kam Way Transportation
Kam Way Transportation is deeply committed to giving back to the community. The company has established programs and partnerships that leverage its business operations to support and recognize others. This commitment to social responsibility is integral to Kam Way Transportation’s corporate identity.
“We allocate a dollar from every brokered or hauled load to support worthy causes,” Kam Sihota explains. “These contributions benefit local animal shelters, the Blaine Food Bank, the Blaine Boys and Girls Club, and various other charities chosen by our employees.” This unique giving program directly links business activity to community support.
Utilizing its trucks as mobile platforms for public service announcements, Kam Way Transportation partners with the Washington State Patrol’s Homeward Bound Program. Since 2018, 14 trailers have featured posters of missing children with age progression images to engage public awareness and aid in searches. These trailers also highlight Be the Match, a program connecting bone marrow donors with recipients in need. For Memorial Day 2021, Kam Way Transportation unveiled five additional trailers honoring veterans and active-duty military personnel. Kam Way Transportation also provides premium pay to drivers who are military veterans, further demonstrating its support for the military community.
“We are also proud sponsors of Truckers Against Trafficking,” says Harneet Sihota, who leads Kam Way Transportation’s social responsibility initiatives. “We incorporate their training materials for all drivers and internal staff to increase awareness and help combat the exploitation of women and children. Our drivers are the eyes and ears on the road and at truck stops, trained to recognize signs of human trafficking and use a reporting app for suspicious activities. This issue is not limited to specific regions; it is a global problem. We are committed to doing our part to bring hope and support to affected families.”
Sustainable Transportation: Kam Way Transportation’s Vision for the Future
Recognizing the significant fuel consumption in the shipping industry, Kam Way Transportation is proactive in seeking ways to enhance fuel efficiency and minimize its carbon footprint. Sustainability is a key consideration in Kam Way Transportation’s long-term strategy.
“We collaborate with our drivers to optimize fuel economy, including exploring cutting-edge technologies,” Kam Sihota notes. “We are eagerly anticipating Tesla’s electric truck and have ordered two electric trucks from Daimler, slated for 2023, for short-range operations in the Puget Sound region. This August, we will begin real-world testing of a hydrogen fuel cell truck in California, in partnership with one of our clients. We are continuously looking towards the future of sustainable transportation solutions.”
Both Kam Way Transportation’s brokerage and fleet operations participate in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s SmartWay Program. This program tracks, documents, and shares data on fuel usage and freight emissions across supply chains to improve transportation efficiency on national and global scales over the long term. Kam Way Transportation’s participation underscores its commitment to environmental responsibility.
Despite experiencing growth-related challenges, operational hurdles, and other obstacles throughout its history, Kam Way Transportation has consistently played a critical role in maintaining open and moving supply chains across the U.S., Canada, and globally for 13 years. Moreover, the company has achieved growth and provided valuable employment opportunities even during a global pandemic, demonstrating resilience and adaptability.
Kam Way Transportation is currently engaged in negotiations for further acquisitions, and Kam Sihota expresses the company’s goal to increase revenue by 15% to 20% in the coming years. This ambitious target reflects Kam Way Transportation’s continued growth trajectory and market aspirations.
“We remain dedicated to innovation and growth, both organically and through strategic acquisitions, in this dynamic world, while staying true to our core values and the reasons behind our growth,” Kam Sihota concludes. “Ultimately, it is about realizing our vision of building an exceptional company that earns the respect of our driving staff, our customers, our contract carriers, and the communities we serve.”
