Small and Medium-Sized Business of the Year

Vaughn Sturgeon
The Warren Group

The Warren Group has been a very significant employer in the Village of Rexton for several years. This firm, which was established in 1967 by Paul and Doris Warren, has grown substantially since the days it began selling concrete.

The Warrens established a hardware store between 1981 and 1982 then purchased trucks to haul their building supplies.  A few years later, in 1987, a new dimension was added to the Warren Group, Warren Transport.  In 1994, the Warrens already had approximately seventy employees, and Vaughn Sturgeon, a certified management accountant and a finance expert, was hired on as General Manager for the transportation sector of the company. This seemed very promising as Warren Transport already owned twenty-five trucks.

It was thanks to Vaughn Sturgeon’s commitment that the company grew exponentially.  He was so passionate about his work, as well as towards the firm itself, that he began to buy shares in the company in 1997, as Paul and Doris were preparing for retirement.

In 2002, Vaughn became the sole owner of the Warren Group that now has a staff of 200 to 250, of which 125 are based in Rexton.  “I enjoy the transportation field.  I thrive on building a dynamic firm.  I love making concrete decisions and creating new jobs”, he adds.

Vaughn graduated from St. Thomas University with a bachelor’s degree in economics and then obtained his certificate as a certified management accountant (CMA) in 1996.  From 1991 to 1994, he worked for NB Power, Atlas Construction and Sunbury Transport.  He was born in Fredericton, is married to Sheena, and is the father of three daughters:  Mariah, 13; Rebecca, 11; Allison, 7. His outside interests consist of serving on industry committees and other boards.

He admits that running a business isn’t always easy but a positive outlook is always necessary even when times are tough.  Even though he works between 60-70 hours a week, his young family always remains a priority.

The Warren Group not only employs many people in Rexton but also in Bathurst, New Brunswick, Mill Village, Nova Scotia,  Lévi, Québec,  Mississauga, Ontario, and as far west as Fort McMurray, Alberta.  “In the past 10 years, our company has reported continued growth”, mentions Mr. Sturgeon.

The Warren Group is divided into four sectors; two for transportation, one for construction and one for servicing and repairing heavy duty trucks.  The transportation sector encompasses 70% of the company’s sales, approximately 30 million dollars annually.  The construction sector represents 20% of the firm’s income, while the service and repair sector makes up the remaining 10%.  Today, the Warren Group has assets of approximately 10 million dollars.  The firm has 110 heavy trucks and 175 tractor trailers that travel all over North America.

Mr. Sturgeon has much hope for the future and is confident that there is still a lot of growth potential.  “We will continue to flourish especially with the quality of employees we have working for us in our four sectors”, says the owner who relies on his five sector directors to assist in developing the business.

This year has been especially challenging, largely due to the impact of the strong Canadian dollar and its influence on the lagging pulp and paper industry, an important component of his transportation sector. He also says that it is becoming a little more difficult to find qualified employees and truck drivers who are ready to leave for up to two weeks at a time. The company currently employs 10-15 individuals from foreign countries.

The Warren Group has an excellent reputation at the local and national levels.  The firm has, among other distinctions, already been nominated for the Ernst and Young Award.  Amidst all the glory, Mr. Sturgeon gives credit to his loyal and dedicated employees who largely contribute to this firm’s success.  He is also very conscientious as far as his employees’ safety and security are concerned, as exemplified by the group’s safety and loss time prevention programs.  “Without them, it wouldn’t be possible”, he states.

Their customers are of utmost importance as well, and Vaughn ensures that they receive personalized, quality service and walks the extra mile to help provide solutions to their problems.

Vaughn foresees an expansion to his business within the next five to ten years.  He actually predicts that it will increase twofold because of the numerous opportunities.  He is however quick to add that the Warren Group will not leave the Kent Region and will continue to blossom and prosper here at home.

Congratulations to the Small and Medium-Sized Business of the Year, the Warren Group!