A long History of Trucking
Experts in Food distribution for Over 80 Years
John Wesley Wilson started the company in 1937 with four red Dodge, single axle trucks and four 20 ft. trailers. This began the company’s history in food distribution. Eventually the 22 different trucking companies that hauled for the A&P grocery chain became one, Wilson’s Truck Lines.
1937
Company founded by John Wesley Wilson after purchasing a truck to transport goods from his local farm to Toronto. He then bartered for 3 more trucks under contract with A&P Canada.
1939-1945
Focus of Wilson’s changes briefly during WWII; company begins hauling aircraft wings.
1949
Carl Herbert Wilson assumes control of the company.
1950
Wilson’s operates the first tractor trailer shipment in northern Ontario on all gravel roads.
1981
James Wilson purchased the family business from Carl Wilson, at which time A&P Canada and Dominion stores were the primary clients.
1985
A&P Canada purchases Dominion stores, in return giving Wilson’s an increase in business and replacing Laidlaw Transport and Dominion stores’ private fleet.
1989
A&P Canada purchased Miracle Mart and Ultra Food&Drug.
Trucking deregulation is implemented in Ontario, opening up the industry to more operators, providing Wilson’s with a greater opportunity for growth, focused in the food industry.
1999
Metro acquires Loeb and its 2 warehouses in Ottawa, adding 41 supermarkets to its network in eastern and northern Ontario.
Wilson’s signs first official 10 year contract with A&P Canada.
2005
Metro Inc. purchases A&P Canada for $1.7B.
2010
Impressed by the service provided in the previous contract, Metro signs a 10-year contract renewal with Wilson’s.
2014
Metro continues its focus and commitment to growth through its acquisition of a majority stake in Premiere Moisson.
2017
80 year anniversary kicked off with a fresh new look!
2020
Wilson to launch a Canadian fourth-party lead logistics provider (4PL), offering broader responsibility and accountability in helping customers reach their strategic goals. Non-Stop Logistics is a Canadian based family owned 4PL, offering over 80 years of supply chain management initiatives and services. Its vertical integration of services, transportation, asset leasing, real estate, IT systems and facility initiatives allows for quick execution in helping customers reach their strategic goals.
