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ph: 604-688-2398 fx: 604-688-1963
CAN'T FIND SOMETHING? |
Harmon BalManaging director, Interline Motor Freight Inc.Age: 28 Just about every B.C.-bound truck along Washington’s I-5 freeway corridor is contracted to Interline Motor Freight Inc., delivering cargo to major local retail outlets and warehouses. Harmon Bal started the business after learning the ropes as a 10-year-old in and out of his father Hardev Bal’s now-shuttered trucking business. Interline does not own any trucks – the 101 trucks are all independently owner-operated – but it has grown to be B.C.’s largest intermodal trucking company in little over three years as it facilitates their movement from Seattle to Tacoma, through a new U.S. division, and through to B.C. “There’s a lot more money to be made in the States,” said Bal. “There’s a lot more business.” Interline’s revenues are in the $9 million to $10 million range from its Canadian operations, with overall revenues expected to increase significantly when the U.S. numbers are crunched. Bal is steering his trucking business to bigger things – Interline has become the preferred carrier for Union Pacific Railway, the largest U.S. railway – but he is also growing his television-production business, Asian Connections Entertainment Inc., which he started a decade ago when he was 18 years old. Asian Connections commands more than 50 hours of programming a month on Shaw cable television. There’s also a half-hour English current-affairs magazine show twice weekly. “I owe a lot of my success to my parents,” said Bal, who attended St. John’s, a private high school, before completing a bachelor of technology degree at Kwantlen University College. Perseverance is another key. “If I start something, I finish it,” said Bal. “I will make sure it is done. That’s one thing that I really, really am proud of, that if I want to achieve something I will make sure I achieve it no matter how much hard work it takes.” • Birthplace: Burnaby Where do you live now: Vancouver Highest level of education: Degree in technology, Kwantlen University College Car or chosen mode of transport: 2009 BMW 750Li Last CD bought or music downloaded: The Ultimate Collection by Michael Jackson Favourite movie: Dhoom (Indian movie) Favourite local restaurant: The Keg Person you would most like to meet (living or deceased): Ratan Tata from Tata Industries Profession you would most like to try: Air-traffic controller Mentor: My parents Most memorable career milestone or event: When the Asian Connections television show was accepted by Shaw, as this was my stepping stone into business Toughest business or professional decision: Dismissing an employee What’s left to do: The sky is the limit; there is still a lot left to do This article from Business in Vancouver December 29, 2009-January 4, 2010; issue 1053 Business in Vancouver (www.biv.com) has been publishing in-depth local business news, analysis and commentary since 1989. The newspaper also produces a weekly ranked list of the biggest companies and players in a wide range of B.C. industries and commercial sectors, monthly features and industry-focused sections that arm its subscribers with a complete package of local business intelligence each week. |
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