Founded in 2003, Axsun has grown to become one of Canada’s larger cross border intermodal providers. Axsun provides intermodal full loads and less than truckloads (LTL) between Canada, the United States and Mexico through a single clearance gateway program.

Ian Blake of Axsun and Benoit Caron of Vitapom pictured at the QPMA golf tournament breakfast.“We now have 53 foot containers that are stackable servicing via rail from California to Quebec and Ontario,” said Steve Ramescu, president of Axsun Group. “We are also one of the first transportation companies in North America to have incorporated SAP technology,” he said.

“We can remotely control temperature allowing us to make adjustments rapidly, know the rate of fuel in the tank, be alerted to when a door is opened, know how fast a container is moving,” he continued. “All done electronically, it’s incredible.”

“Depending on the season, truck rates can fluctuate like crazy, sometimes 20-30 percent. With costly equipment, fuel costs, and driver shortages, using rail offers a way to reduce costs.”

Mr. Ramescu said he has been involved in intermodal transportation for about 30 years, even before it was a trend. The company started in dry goods, he said, and now it offers stackable containers where the refrigeration is integrated in the interior of the box.

“This is a huge game changer for the industry and ideal for the fruit and vegetable market,” he said. “It doesn’t make sense to truck from 3000 miles away for all goods. Put it on rail, save costs and access perishable goods at better pricing.”

“Containers are cheaper as it is, we roll seven days a week, direct from point A to B. A truck may make it quicker by a day but often a trucker customer is waiting an extra day or two anyways to find a truck. For goods like lemon or celery or frozen, an extra day doesn’t change anything but the price drops dramatically,” he said.

Mr. Ramescu said that as intermodal is used more and more, there will be greater cost efficiencies and it will be better for consumers since having this type of service available offers more consistent pricing year-round. Rail pricing is a lot more consistent and in time I believe this will become the norm.” Those who jump on the current opportunity will have a leg up on their competition in providing competitive prices to the end customer through the rail savings.

“We manage right from point A to point B. There’s no in-between handling or cross docking, the shipper loads — the receiver receives, there is one seal. The double-stacked service is very comparable to refrigerated box car pricing yet minimal damages when compared to the excessive handling in box car. It’s very competitive, there’s no fluctuation in temp, it is consistent, secure and efficient,” he continued. “You don’t have to worry about sick days, stops, flat tires or delays. Our dispatchers can change the temperature in a given notice through our system and or their blackberry playbooks 24 hours a day.”  

Using rail offers ways to reduce cost, Mr. Ramescu said, adding that it also has a big impact on reducing carbon footprint. “Once people start using it and get into a routine — the savings are astronomical,” he concluded.