TSI Terminal Systems Inc. is a leading container terminal operator in Canada. It focuses on implementing environmentally friendly practices and new technology.

When President and CEO Norman Stark joined TSI Terminal Systems Inc. six years ago, he not only brought with him more than 40 years of experience in the container shipping industry, but he also brought a fresh outlook to the organization. Before leaving his post as CEO of the Vancouver Port Authority, Stark and his former management team spent a great deal of time developing corporate plans for the future.

When he arrived at TSI, Stark recognized a lack of a clear, solid vision and set out to make a change. “Right away, we started getting focused on recognizing what our strengths and weaknesses are, and worked to get a good, solid business plan together,” he says. “We worked on clearly outlining our goals and values, to develop a clear plan for the future.”

TSI’s existing management team of 16 executives boasted a combined 330 years of experience, but more than 50 percent of them were on the road to retirement when Stark joined the company. “We knew it would be a very big challenge to replace those people, but we took a lot of time developing succession plans, as well,” he asserts.

Developing the next generation of leaders is not an easy process, but the management team regularly met over a period of time – and continue to do so – to clearly outline corporate goals to find the right people to take the helm in the future.

During one of the planning sessions, the team was separated into two groups and each person was given a sheet of paper with 100 words from which to describe TSI’s corporate values. “We put half the managers in one room and half in another,” Stark says.

“They were to choose only four words that best describe our values,” he says. “When the group came back together, we realized both teams chose the same words, which were: teamwork, safety, integrity and success. To me, that says a lot about what sort of company this is.”

Its numerous veteran employees are testament to the company’s overall culture. “I think it’s always been a great place to work, and I’m trying hard to carry on what’s been here since before I arrived,” Stark says. “People have always been treated with respect around here.”

The company rewards its long-term employees for their dedication and loyalty. Each person who reaches 25 years of service to TSI is initiated into what Stark calls the Watch Club. The company gives a Rolex watch to each employee who reaches this mark. “I’m not even sure how many Rolexes we’ve given away,” he notes.

Realizing ‘Synergies’
TSI operates the Deltaport and Vanterm terminals at the Port of Vancouver in British Columbia. According to the company, Deltaport is the largest container terminal in Canada, with an annual capacity of approximately 1.4 million 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs). Vanterm features a capacity of 850,000 TEUs.

TSI and its sister companies, New York Container Terminal and Global Terminal and Container Services are owned by the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan. Although the three organizations – operating under the Global Container Terminals Inc. umbrella – have been run as independent entities, they are beginning to work more closely together to better serve customers and increase return to shareholders.

“We’re spending a lot of time right now trying to realize synergies between the companies,” Stark says. “We are building common terminal systems, IT programs, and we also are developing common financial and purchasing systems. In the past, we’ve been three separate companies, but we’re trying to [advance] our common systems because we have so many of the same customers.”

For instance, the three organizations are implementing the Navis terminal operating system to add synergy in their operations across the corporation. “We’ve started implementing the program here in Vancouver this year, and we’re working with our suppliers to build common systems for all our terminals,” the company says.

Tech Focus
TSI is constantly on the lookout for new pieces of equipment and technologies.  According to Stark, several employees recently traveled to China to examine a new crane that TSI is hoping to purchase in the near future. “This crane would be able to lift two 40-foot containers at one time,” he says, adding that TSI’s current cranes can only lift two 20-foot containers simultaneously. “We’re always watching for new developments in technology and new systems that are being developed in the industry.”

The company is testing a new hybrid technology for the rubber-tired gantries (RTGs) that lift containers on and off trucks. “The hybrid RTG we’re using will offer a 70 percent fuel reduction, while reducing air emissions,” Stark says. “The savings over the course of a year will have a huge impact on business, and will certainly be a plus for the environment, as well.”

Biodiesel Fuel Program
Remaining a good corporate citizen is paramount to the company, and its location in a residential community has encouraged TSI to look for ways to reduce its negative impact on the environment.

“One of our terminals is in Deltaport, in what was a traditional farming community,” Stark explains. “This is a bedroom community, a very environmentally sensitive area, so one of our key goals as a business is to respect the social and physical environment. Using biodiesel fuel cuts back emissions by about 30 percent.”

Although using biodiesel fuel may be an added expense to the business, Stark says the payoff is well worth it.

As the first container terminal operator in Canada to implement this type of system, the company anticipates a positive community response once the program picks up speed. “Right now, we haven’t seen a measurable response, but we are focusing on ensuring the communities in which we operate understand that we care about environmental issues,” Stark says.

As the terminal grows and continues on its path of expansion, Stark says a reputation for environmental and corporate responsibility will help it gain support from residents in the area.

“We want the community to know that even as we expand and start to move more containers, we will respect the concerns of the residents while satisfying our customers’ needs in the years ahead,” he explains.

TSI has also implemented a recycling program to ensure all containers and waste are disposed of responsibly.

Training Triumphs
Along with its focus on new technology and innovations, the company emphasizes the importance of employee training.

Although training for all longshoremen is performed by the Maritime Employers Association, TSI requires a level of in-house training, as well. “We perform some specific on-the-job training ourselves, for new computer systems and equipment,” Stark says.

Finding employees with the right values is more important to the company than finding people with a high level of technical skills. In the booming western Canada job market, however, recruiting new talent to the industry and company is not easy.

“There is a big demand these days for young people,” Stark explains. “But, it’s often hard to get these people to look to our industry.”

TSI spends a significant amount of time with new recruits before hiring them. With strong corporate values, the company looks for people who will adopt the same ideals. “We look for people with core competencies, such as good communication skills, the ability to work as a team, and we really look for people who are interested in continuous learning and continuous improvements,” Stark says.

What can’t be taught, he says, is the commitment to live by TSI’s corporate values of integrity, teamwork, safety and success.

“Everybody has to buy into these values, which can be a challenge,” Stark explains. “It’s not easy, but we try to make it very clear that when people join the organization that they must buy into these values to be successful at TSI.”