Driving Tire Intelligence with Halo Connect
How a Leading Canadian Vehicle Hauler Optimized Tire Performance and Uptime
When it comes to hauling high-value cargo like automobiles, tire reliability isn’t just important; it’s mission-critical. For Transport A.Laberge et Fils Inc., a leading Canadian commercial and personal vehicle transporter, tire performance directly impacts cargo safety, operating costs, and driver confidence. That’s why the company adopted Aperia Technologies’ Halo Connect i3™ system.
Headquartered in Mont-Saint-Grégoire, Quebec, Laberge operates a fleet of 125 auto haulers, comprising 250 total pieces of equipment, with terminals across Canada and major presences in Montreal, Lévis, and Moncton. Their routes span eastern Canada and the United States, with regular runs from rail yards and ports to destinations as far south as Florida. Each year, they transport over 200000 vehicles on behalf of major OEMs, dealerships, and private customers.
High Stakes in Auto Hauling
Unlike typical over-the-road fleets, the risks for auto haulers are uniquely high. “A single blown tire can cost us dearly. Not just in downtime or tire replacement, but in potential damage to extremely expensive cargo,” explained Laberge’s Stéphane Godbout, General Manager. “We own that responsibility. It’s on us.”
That’s why tire intelligence is everything. Aerodynamics can’t be optimized in this segment. The trailers resemble rolling walls, so Laberge looked to tire pressure optimization to improve fuel economy and reduce risk. Enter Halo Connect i3, designed for over-the-road trailers.
Proving Ground: Montreal to Florida
Laberge first tested Halo on routes with the most extreme temperature swings from frigid -30°C northern winters to subtropical heat. Laberge was one of the first fleets to push Aperia to bring tire intelligence to the trailer side. “It performed flawlessly. We saw fuel savings, better uptime, and no tire-related damages,” said Sandrine Ducharme, Technical Advisor at Laberge. “The system pays for itself.”
“It performed flawlessly. We saw fuel savings, better uptime and no tire-related damages. The system pays for itself.”
– Sandrine Ducharme, Technical Advisor
Custom Fit, Real Results
Laberge takes a unit-by-unit approach to fleet management, matching trucks to drivers and tailoring monitoring levels based on routes. Halo offers the customization they need: fewer alerts for local hauls and real-time insights for long-haul cross-border trips.
This precise monitoring has helped reduce tire casing heat, especially on smaller, high-mileage tires, extending retread life. “We’re now re-evaluating our entire retread policy, possibly extending casing cycles from five to six years,” the team noted. “Thanks to Halo, we’re not experiencing the damage that temperature peaks cause.
Aperia’s data shows Laberge experiences a 14% tire life extension with Halo. Moreover, the combination of Halo automatic inflation with predictive analytics enables the Laberge team to resolve issues an average of 15 days sooner than they could without the system.
Driver Buy-In and Peace of Mind
Convincing drivers, especially seasoned veterans, took time. But after one driver limped a rig home from New York to Montreal due to low tire pressure that Halo had flagged early, adoption skyrocketed. “Now they love it. It’s as simple as scanning a QR code on the door, making pre-trips easy and accurate.”
And drivers at Laberge aren’t just operators, they’re ambassadors. “They load, unload, and represent the company in every kind of weather. They’re a special breed, like goalkeepers in hockey. They are the best in the industry; it is our responsibility and honor to provide them with the best equipment and technology.”
Laberge drivers have swiftly adopted Aperia’s pre-trip inspection tool, with log volume increasing month after month. Their utilization demonstrates its simple and intuitive design.
Technology that Moves the Industry Forward
As part of its ongoing drive for efficiency and sustainability, Laberge is currently outfitting its fleet with advanced cabin climate control systems that operate independently of the engine. Powered by lithium batteries, these systems maintain interior comfort without idling and also support electric power take-offs, minimizing engine use during loading, unloading, or while parked.
Since their broader strategy is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve operational efficiency, Laberge added Halo Connect to both tractors and trailers. “Auto haulers may be perceived as the dinosaurs of transportation, but we’re using advanced tools to evolve. We may not be electric, but Halo is helping us move forward.”
With Halo, Laberge decreases its environmental footprint, reducing CO2 emissions by 2.3 tons annually.
Laberge chose Halo Connect not only for its efficiency and sustainability benefits, but also to ensure trips are completed safely. With Halo Connect automatic inflation and predictive analytics, Transport Laberge starts 99% of all new trips with optimally inflated tires. Halo’s ability to maintain optimal inflation and alert 48+ hours ahead of competitors keeps Laberge on the road and on time.
As they prepare to launch industry-first double trailers that can carry up to 15 cars at once on dedicated Canadian routes, Laberge is focused on staying ahead, both in capacity and in technology. By integrating forward-thinking solutions like battery-powered climate control, electric-driven PTO and intelligent tire management, the fleet is setting new standards for sustainability and innovation in auto transport. Laberge is also proud to be a Smartway-certified fleet.
“Service and relationships matter. That’s why we chose Aperia. And when it comes to protecting every mile, Halo helps us do just that—smarter, safer, and more efficiently“
– Stéphane Godbout, General Manager
