Bob March is an old-school trucker who likes to micromanage his business. The 66-year-old CEO of Classic Transport based in Calgary, Alta., has hauled various loads including carbonated drinks, grass seed, peat moss, fruit, furniture, bulk flour and containers for more than four decades.

“I micromanage everything because it is my business and my image,” March said. He trains all drivers who join his company for at least a month. No matter where they’ve worked before and for how long, they must learn to perform tasks the way he does them. “You have to live up to my standards, I’ve been in this business a long time.”

March started out in 1978, driving in Toronto for a carbonated drinks company. He then moved to longhaul work, hauling containers to New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. This was followed by reefer loads into the Carolinas and Georgia.

He moved to Calgary in 1985, driving freight all over North America for about five years. He then started his own company running dry vans from Calgary to Vancouver.

Third time lucky

March loves trucking but adds it was hard on family life and sadly his first two marriages ended. It was third time lucky for him. “I’m on my third go-round and she is wonderful! We’ve been together 23 years,” he said.

March is passionate about trucks and admits he is a Peterbilt guy. This led him to buying a 2024 589L 72” flat top Peterbilt – named “Classic Lady” for his wife – fitted with a X15 565 hp engine and 18-speed manual transmission. “It’s the second 72” flat top that Peterbilt’s made so far,” he said with a touch of pride.

He paid $310,000 for the truck and the warranty cost another $16,000. After upfitting and beautifying the vehicle, the total reached $385,000, March stated.

Eager to display his newest acquisition, March took part in the recent Shell Rotella SuperRigs truck beauty contest in Fort Worth, Texas, and tasted success. His truck was chosen to be featured in the 2025 Shell Rotella calendar.

“This is a trucker’s truck, a work truck. The color combination is my idea, and the pink stripe was my wife’s inspiration,” he said.

Presently, his company Classic Transport hauls bulk flour for bakeries. He’s eyeing semi-retirement down the road as his three children are not interested in the business.

March is planning to get a motorhome and spend winter with his wife in Arizona or Florida. “We can run our business from there and I can always jump on a plane and fly back to Calgary if needed.”

Respect the customer

In the future, may also sell the business, but it has to be to somebody that has the same values. “They have to have the same interest in the business and respect the customer. Respect the people you work with, respect the people that you’re talking to, respect everybody,” he said.

March said trucking is in his blood – his grandfather was a truck guy. “They say it skips a generation,” he said. The veteran trucker is hoping it is true.