Talking Supply Chain: The Wills family legacy

They say trucking, logistics and supply chain are like one big family. For the Wills family, that is true.

Since 1945, the Wills family has owned and operated Wills Transfer, an eastern Ontario, Canada-based third-party logistics warehousing provider. But, the company hasn’t always operated as a 3PL. In fact, it got its start just after World War II and eventually became known as household goods moving company. But, as industry changes occurred, it found the need to reinvent itself.

Earlier this year, Jordi Wills because the fourth generation of the Wills family to take over the presidency of the company, stepping in for his father Terry, who shifted to an advisory chairman role.

Jordi joined the Talking Supply Chain podcast to discuss the history of Wills Transfer, share some stories of the past, talk about that pivotal time when Wills moved away from household goods moving, and what the future looks like.

“I got to watch my father and what's important to him and his values,” Jordi Wills says. “And he created that appetite, that natural progression in the family. You see your father, you see your parents and what sort of influence you can have and you naturally desire that. So that's kind of where I am today. I’ve been back in the business 11 years. … We’re at the heart of the supply chain in Canada. We serve three B2B industries for warehouse and distribution. Number one, manufacturing; number two, food; and number three, pharmaceutical.”

Listen as Jordi Wills share more of Wills Transfer’s journey, and tells the story of why a mannequin head is among his fondest memories of trucking.

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