Cando Rail & Terminals (Cando) on Nov. 20 reported acquiring its 13th multi-purpose terminal, AWP Industries in Canada’s Northwest Territories, which will support key existing Cando network customers, as well as Class I partner CN.
“AWP is strategically located at the northern terminus of CN’s rail network and serves as a critical gateway to transport bulk products to support communities, airports, mines, and governmental agencies in the North,” according to Cando. Recently built, the terminal is said to have “substantial capacity for future growth, providing a more economical and environmentally friendly alternative to long-haul trucking.”
AWP founder and CEO Brad Mapes has become an employee and shareholder of Cando, which said he will “focus on driving additional volumes and new customers to the terminal.”
This Cando’s second terminal acquisition in less than a year. In December 2023, the company reported purchasing Southwest Alberta-based Transmark, which provided access to the Rocky Mountains, Western provinces and Pacific Northwest regions.
“AWP’s terminal was another perfect fit for Cando,” Cando President and CEO Brian Cornick said. “Brad Mapes … has done a tremendous job over the past few years turning undeveloped land into a fast-growing rail terminal serving several of North America’s largest shippers. We are excited to partner with Brad to continue growing the site and providing critical supplies to the North. … Strategic acquisitions have become a cornerstone of Cando’s multi-faceted growth platform. Cando plans to continue investing organically and inorganically in critical rail infrastructure to support shipper-customers and Class I partners.”
Brad Mapes commented: “I am excited to partner with Cando and leverage its scale, access to capital, world class operations, and deep customer relationships to accelerate and expand my vision for the terminal.”
With this latest acquisition, Cando said its network has the capacity to stage and store more than 11,000 railcars. It now owns and operates 13 rail terminals and one short line (67-mile Central Manitoba Railway), in addition to providing rail operations at nearly 50 customer locations (see map below).
Separately, Cando earlier this month announced that it collaborated with two global wind turbine manufacturers to transload (store and ship) wind turbine components at its Lethbridge Terminal. In October, it hired Eric Buettner as Chief Legal Officer.
