We can’t establish a relationship if we don’t know each other:

I am Nigel Fortlage, Vice President Information Technology at GHY International. I have been in this industry since 1988 and before that I worked for an importer/distributor/Manufacture as their in-house customs specialist. For the last 16 months I have had a second hat I have been wearing in partnership with our Executive VP, Reynold Martens working on understanding the social media space and how we can connect with you in a two-way conversation.  We will be specifically sharing details around the concept we have been introducing you to, an Integrated Trade Compliance Strategy. We believe by providing you good information, education and awareness that we hope to engage in a conversation that results in helping you solve problems, creating that Ah Ha moment for you, or addressing moments of truth in your international trade operations that adds value

Martin Rayner is an independent consultant with more than 27 years of diverse experience working in various operational facets of the customs brokerage and international trade logistics field. Martin has also held executive-level positions in the industry with a number of the leading trade service providers across Canada and during his career has acted in both professional advisory and advocacy capacities for companies seeking to leverage opportunities in the regulatory environment to their benefit.

Reynold Martens is Executive Vice President and Corporate Secretary of GHY International, and he is the President and co-founder of the firm’s subsidiary, GHY USA, Inc. He is the Author of the white paper titled, a Case for an Integrated Trade Compliance Strategy. Reynold is also actively involved outside of GHY, he is active in various industry and community leadership roles, including directorships with the Canadian Manufactures and Exporters Association, current chair for IE Canada Manitoba Chapter and member of the National Board

Rick Riess, President & CEO, GHY International. We can not talk about our current president and 4th Generation owner of the firm without, acknowledging the background from which he comes,

GHY–over a century old and still “Young.”

Yes it’s true. Geo. H. Young & Co. Ltd. turns 110 in 2011, making the company one of the oldest and most established privately held enterprises in Canada that continues to grow and evolve as both a pioneer and innovator in the Customs brokerage industry.

In the late 1800’s, Canada was a work in progress, with only seven provinces (Alberta and Saskatchewan joined in 1905). The young nation was struggling to protect its development by means of high tariffs on goods that were manufactured—or could be—in Canada. Duty rates of 20 – 40 percent accounted for most of the government’s revenue of about $50 million, as income taxes weren’t initiated until 1917.

At the time, George Henry Young was the Chief Inspector of Customs Ports stationed in Winnipeg. In 1901, recognizing the opportunity when he saw it, he opened one of the first brokerage houses in Western Canada. This pre-dated the automobile era, and the majority of goods moved by rail. However, the winds of change were blowing, and in 1903, Wilbur and Orville Wright took their first flight, and by 1929 the first international commercial flight into Winnipeg arrived from Minneapolis. That was likely Northwest Airlines, one of the company’s longest standing international relationships. George led the company for its first 43 years until 1944, when the reins were turned over to his son George Donald Young, known as Don.

In 1950, under Don Young’s leadership, Geo. H. Young & Co. Ltd. formally incorporated, and so began an exciting era of growth in revenue and clients. News of those years is well documented in the formal corporate minute books, which include colourful details about the business of the day, the people and events, as well as the challenges and opportunities. There is reference to some of our long-term clients who have become pillars of the Manitoba business community, and indeed some of these relationships span more than eight decades and have contributed significantly to our success.

In 1968, GHY’s leadership transitioned to Charles Riess, son-in-law to Don Young. As the Prairie economy continued to expand and with it cross-border trade, so did the company, which opened an office at Emerson, Manitoba to accommodate the growing volume of truck traffic originating in the US bound for the Prairies. Charles’ son, Richard Riess, became President in 1992, and so began an unprecedented period of growth and expansion in products, services, locations, and strategic partnerships.

Today, GHY International as it is known, is recognized as a leader in the industry for its strategic focus on trade facilitation and regulatory risk management, use of innovative technologies, solid core values, and principled approach to working with clients, associates, Customs regimes of Canada and the US, supply chain partners in all modes of transportation, and yes, even competitors.

The scope of the enterprise has expanded to include locations in British Columbia (1994), Ontario (2005), a strategic partnership in Alberta (2005), a nationally licensed US subsidiary based in North Dakota (1995), and numerous strategic partnerships. It has grown to include over 100 employees serving a client base from a broad cross-section of industries, including many top 500 companies in Canada and the US.

Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) ranks GHY Canada 13th out of 504 reporting entities; United States Customs Border Patrol (CBP) ranks GHY USA 39th out of 2523 reporting entities; GHY Canada is the largest prairie-based member of the Canadian Society of Customs Brokers (CSCB), which includes the vast majority of Brokers in Canada.

GHY has survived the calamities of two world wars, the Great Depression, dozens of economic cycles, fast-paced growth in trade and the regulatory environment, and a technology revolution, and through all those waves of change, has been an innovator, while staying true to its core values, and maintaining a relentless pursuit of creating value for our clients.