What Manitoulin Transport does

Manitoulin Transport Inc., founded in 1960 and headquartered in Gore Bay, Ontario, is a privately held Canadian transportation and logistics business within the Manitoulin Group of Companies. It provides less-than-truckload and truckload freight, expedited delivery, Canada-U.S. cross-border shipping, intermodal rail, dedicated-fleet outsourcing, and logistics and supply-chain services to small and medium-sized businesses and large enterprises, primarily across Canada with U.S. reach. Its reported network comprises 85 terminals and 7,306 direct service points, while a direct-service model is intended to reduce handoffs and maintain chain-of-custody visibility.

Operations are supported by MT Direct, a web portal for rate quotes, pickup scheduling, Bills of Lading, shipment tracking, and email or text notifications, plus EDI and API integrations for enterprise business-process automation. Shipment notifications cover pickup, transit, destination-terminal, out-for-delivery, and delivered milestones in English and French. Manitoulin reports 98.5%+ on-time delivery and 99.8% claims-free shipments; these are operating indicators rather than disclosed financial results.

Revenue is generated mainly through transaction-based freight services and supplemented by managed dedicated-fleet and supply-chain offerings. Rates are customized by shipment requirements and obtained through MT Direct or shipping specialists, with no public price list disclosed. The go-to-market model combines direct sales and account support with self-service digital shipping, while the broader Manitoulin group adds customs brokerage, freight forwarding, warehousing, crating, and specialized logistics capabilities.

Name

Manitoulin Transport

Legal name

Manitoulin Transport Inc

Website

https://rainbowtransport.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1960

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Manitoulin Transport is a privately held Canadian freight and logistics carrier serving SMBs and large enterprises across North America through LTL, TL, cross-border, intermodal, dedicated fleet, and supply-chain services via its terminal network and digital platform.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Freight and Logistics Services

NAICS

General Freight Trucking (4841), General Freight Trucking, Long-Distance, Truckload (484121), General Freight Trucking, Long-Distance (48412), Freight Transportation Arrangement (488510), Couriers and Express Delivery Services (4921)

SIC

Trucking & Courier Services (No Air) (4210), Trucking (No Local) (4213), Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731)

akta.pro primary industry

National/Regional LTL General Freight Carriers (TLADAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Interregional/Long-Haul LTL Network Carriers (TLADAEAC), Cross-Border LTL (US-MX/US-CA) (TLADAEAI), LTL Consolidators & Deconsolidators (TLADAEAE), Intermodal Drayage TL Carriers (Port/Rail Ramp Drayage) (TLADADAF), Dry Van (General Freight) TL Carriers (TLADADAA)

Keywords

• Less-than-truckload shipping
• Freight transportation services
• Cross-border shipping
• Logistics supply chain
• Truckload freight

Headquarters

HQ city

Gore Bay

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. LTL (Less-Than-Truckload) Freight Services: Core revenue stream from less-than-truckload freight shipping across Canada, providing dependable on-time delivery with the most direct coverage in Canada. Manitoulin is Canada's national leading LTL carrier.
2. TL (Truckload) Freight Services: Full truckload shipping services complementing the LTL offering for larger shipments.
3. Expedited RockSolid Services: Guaranteed time-critical delivery service — 'get your freight where you need it, when you need it, or it's free.' Premium pricing for guaranteed delivery.
4. Cross Border Shipping: Canada-U.S. cross-border freight shipping services with customs and border security program assistance.
5. Intermodal Rail Services: Rail intermodal service for transporting goods from Ontario and Quebec to Western Canada as a cost-effective alternative to expedited shipping.
6. Dedicated Fleet Services: Customized fleet solutions for businesses looking to outsource their fleet and driving team or partner alongside their existing fleet.
7. Logistics and Supply Chain Solutions: Seamless logistical solutions from single-transaction shipments to comprehensive supply chain management, including overdimensional shipments, temperature-controlled logistics, drayage, and white glove services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Manitoulin Transport operates Canada's largest less-than-truckload (LTL) freight network, providing LTL and truckload (TL) shipping, guaranteed expedited delivery (RockSolid), Canada-U.S. cross-border freight, intermodal rail transport, dedicated fleet outsourcing, and end-to-end logistics services across 85 terminals and 7,306 direct service points. Operations are supported by the MT Direct customer portal and EDI/API integration capabilities for booking, tracking, and B2B data exchange.

Product overview

Manitoulin Transport offers a comprehensive freight shipping and logistics platform centered on LTL (Less-than-Truckload) and TL (Truckload) services across Canada. The core portfolio includes Cross Border shipping, Expedited RockSolid (guaranteed delivery), Intermodal Rail, Dedicated Fleet solutions, and Logistics services (including overdimensional, temperature-controlled, and expedited options). Digital operations are powered by MT Direct, a customer web portal enabling rate quotes, shipment tracking, pickup scheduling, and BOL creation. EDI and API Integration services support B2B automation. The company operates an extensive network of 85 terminals across Canada with over 7,300 direct service points.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MT Direct: Online customer portal for managing shipments, rate quotes, scheduling pickups, and tracking
• RockSolid
• Manitoulin Logistics

Products and services

• LTL & TL Less-than-truckload (LTL) and truckload (TL) freight shipping services providing the most direct coverage in Canada with reliable transit times and tailored delivery options for businesses shipping across Canada.
• Expedited RockSolid Guaranteed expedited shipping service delivering freight when and where needed; if the delivery commitment is missed, the shipment is free.
• Cross Border Shipping services to and from Canada and the U.S., supported by cross-border specialists with customs and border security program assistance.
• Intermodal Rail Rail intermodal service for transporting goods from Ontario and Quebec to Western Canada, offered as a cost-effective alternative to expedited over-the-road shipping.
• Dedicated Fleet Outsourced fleet and driving team solutions where Manitoulin manages costs and creates efficiencies, or works alongside an existing fleet to provide capacity and visibility.
• Logistics Logistics solutions ranging from single-transaction shipments to comprehensive supply chain management, including overdimensional shipments, temperature-controlled logistics, flatdeck service, drayage, and white glove services.
• MT Direct Customer-facing web portal for managing shipments including rate quotes, Bill of Lading creation, shipment tracking, pickup scheduling, and shipment notifications via email or text in English and French.
• EDI & API Integration Electronic Data Interchange and Application Programming Interface capabilities for B2B data exchange, enabling business system integrations and automation with enterprise shippers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 98.5%+ on-time delivery rate
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Martin Roy Transport (MRT)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 July 2025Manitoulin Group of Companies acquired Martin Roy Transport, a transportation company founded in 1998 by Martin Roy and his mother Claire, based in Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec. The acquisition effective July 18, 2025, added Val-d'Or and strengthened Manitoulin's network in Quebec and Ontario. MRT was fully integrated into Manitoulin's systems on November 3, 2025.
• Hamilton Burlington SPCA (HBSPCA)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 June 2025Manitoulin Transport partnered with the Hamilton Burlington SPCA and Uber Freight to deliver 20 pallets of emergency pet food supplies to wildfire-affected communities in Manitoba and Northern Ontario.
• Uber FreightminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 June 2025Uber Freight partnered with Manitoulin Transport and the Hamilton Burlington SPCA to deliver 20 pallets of emergency pet food supplies to wildfire-affected communities.
• Traction UAPcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerManitoulin and Traction UAP co-host the annual Charity Golf Classic, which has raised over $2,000,000 over 16 years. The event is a flagship industry networking and fundraising event. Presenting sponsors include Jones DesLauriers Navacord and Northbridge Insurance. Diamond sponsors include Old Dominion Freight Line and FastFrate.
• Trusted U.S. BrokerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorManitoulin Transport uses trusted U.S. brokers to extend its cross-border shipping reach beyond Canada into the United States, enabling seamless Canada-U.S. shipping for customers.
• Manitoulin Group of Companies (Sister Brands)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerManitoulin Transport is part of the Manitoulin Group of Companies, which includes: Direct Right Cartage, Diamond Delivers, Near North Customs, Cratexind, MGF Group (including Project Logistics), Expedite Plus, and Manitoulin Warehousing. These brands collectively provide single-source global supply chain solutions including international freight forwarding, warehousing, customs brokerage, crating, and time-critical delivery.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Purolator: Purolator is Canada's leading parcel/express carrier and operates LTL and freight services through Purolator Freight, competing head-to-head with Manitoulin for Canadian B2B freight volumes.
• Saia: Saia is a U.S.-focused LTL carrier with a terminal-dense network model and premium service positioning similar to Manitoulin's direct-service approach; a useful operational and valuation comparable.
• Challenger Motor Freight: Challenger is a privately held Canadian TL and LTL carrier with cross-border and logistics services, competing for the same enterprise and SMB freight base across Canada.
• ArcBest (ABF Freight): ArcBest operates ABF Freight, one of the largest U.S. LTL networks, and provides asset-based supply chain services — closely comparable to Manitoulin in network-driven LTL economics and customer mix.
• FastFrate: FastFrate is a Canadian TL and LTL carrier with national coverage including cross-border services; identified as a diamond sponsor of Manitoulin's industry events, indicating active overlap in the Canadian freight market.
• TForce Freight: TForce Freight (formerly UPS Freight, now owned by TFI International) is one of the largest LTL carriers in North America with a broad U.S. and Canada footprint, making it the closest direct head-to-head competitor to Manitoulin's LTL/TL core.
• Day & Ross: Day & Ross is a major Canadian LTL and TL carrier serving Atlantic Canada and the broader national market with comparable LTL, TL, and logistics offerings — directly competing for the same SMB and enterprise shipper base as Manitoulin.

Regional players

• Rosenau Transport: Rosenau is a Western Canadian LTL/TL carrier that complements Manitoulin's footprint in Alberta and British Columbia; a regional peer with comparable direct-service positioning rather than a national-head-to-head competitor.

Broad incumbents

• Old Dominion Freight Line: Old Dominion is the largest U.S. LTL carrier by revenue and margin, known for premium service and a dense terminal network; it represents the operational benchmark and competitive ceiling for any Canadian LTL carrier expanding into the U.S.
• XPO: XPO is a major North American LTL carrier with a sizable U.S. terminal network and continued Canada presence, overlapping with Manitoulin on cross-border lanes and enterprise customers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rainbow-transport-1974-ltd.

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Manitoulin Transport