From the orchard to the grocery store: How Verger des Bois-Francs manages its own fleet of trucks 🚛🍏

When you buy Quebec apples at the grocery store, you may not think about all the work that goes into each fruit. However, before they reach the shelves, these apples have followed a long journey, starting in the orchards and ending in your grocery cart. At Verger des Bois-Francs, this logistics is fully controlled thanks to their own fleet of trucks.

In this episode of Histoire de Truck, we met Mathieu Brie, one of the members of the 4th generation of the family at the head of the company. He explains why they chose to integrate transportation into their operations and what the challenges are of managing a fleet in the agri-food industry.

A family history that has been going on for four generations

Verger des Bois-Francs is above all a family story. Founded over 50 years ago, the company has evolved over the generations to become a key player in the production and distribution of apples in Quebec.

It all started with Mathieu’s great-grandfather, who sold fruits and vegetables door to door in the Princeville area. His son then focused production exclusively on apples and developed relationships with local grocery stores. Then, with the arrival of the 3rd generation, the company expanded by purchasing new land and increasing its production and storage capacity.

Today, Mathieu, his brother and sister continue this growth by bringing a modern and structured vision, in particular by optimizing transport logistics.

Why does Verger des Bois-Francs have its own trucks?

Transportation is a key element of the food supply chain. To guarantee the freshness of apples and provide reliable service to grocery stores, Verger des Bois-Francs has chosen to be 100% autonomous with its own trucks and drivers.

The advantages of having your own fleet:

✅ Better control over deliveries: In the food industry, meeting deadlines is essential. With its own trucks, the company can adapt to customer demands and deliver 7 days a week.

✅ Increased flexibility: By having three full-time drivers, Verger des Bois-Francs can quickly react to unforeseen events, such as a sudden increase in orders or a last-minute adjustment.

✅ Optimized freshness: Transport under a controlled atmosphere is essential to preserve the quality of apples. The company’s trucks are cleaned and maintained regularly to ensure impeccable transport conditions.

✅ Long-term cost reduction: Rather than depending on external carriers, having your own fleet allows you to optimize costs and maximize logistical efficiency.

The challenges of managing a fleet of trucks in the food industry

Despite its many advantages, managing your own transport fleet is not without challenges.

🚚 Mechanic management: Finding qualified and available mechanics remains a challenge, especially during peak periods.

📦 Logistics planning: Every day, 2 to 3 trucks leave to deliver apples to different distribution points. Coordinating schedules, routes and stocks requires flawless organization.

A company looking to the future

Verger des Bois-Francs is constantly innovating to adapt to new market challenges. The company is working on several projects, including:

🌱 Optimizing apple growing through automation and the introduction of new varieties. 🏗 Expanding infrastructure to improve storage and extend the availability of apples all year round.
🔧 Improving the truck fleet to increase delivery efficiency and reduce environmental impact.

Watch the full episode on YouTube 🎥

Dive into the world of Verger des Bois-Francs and discover how a Quebec family business combines tradition and modernity to deliver fresh apples to consumers. 🍏