Six drivers with HyLife and its transportation partner LPR have collectively driven 10 million miles without a single preventable accident—an achievement the company marked this week with awards, speeches and a three-tiered cake.
The milestone is equivalent to circling the Earth more than 400 times or travelling to the moon and back four times. But for the six drivers, it’s not about the numbers—it’s about safety, professionalism and doing the job right, every time.
HyLife driver Jeffery Rempel of Randolph said the celebration meant a lot.
“It feels surreal. To have everyone cheering—this is something I will always remember,” said Rempel, who recently reached one million safe miles. “Every day, I just do my best to get home safely to my family.”
Donaghy becomes first to reach 3 million miles
Andy Donaghy of LPR, based in Morris, has driven more than three million miles safely—the first to do so within the company.
“I’ve been driving for 31 years now, and I learned everything from my dad, who was a driver too,” said Donaghy. “I own my own truck, which was gifted to me by a man I worked with for 20 years. Every time I get behind the wheel, I’m grateful for that opportunity.”
The full list of recognized drivers includes:
-
Andy Donaghy, 3 million miles, LPR, Morris
-
Mike Schalla, 2 million miles, HyLife, Randolph
-
William (Ted) Wachna, 2 million miles, LPR, Morris
-
Jeff Dotty, 1 million miles, LPR, Morris
-
Robin Penner, 1 million miles, Freezer Co, HyLife, Neepawa
-
Jeffery Rempel, 1 million miles, HyLife, Randolph
Million Mile Club adds six new names
Each driver has now been inducted into the HyLife Million Mile Club, with their names added to a special wall at the company’s head office in Steinbach. According to the company, it’s a permanent tribute to the hard work and care these drivers bring to the road every day.
“It takes a special kind of person to drive—someone with grit, patience, and an unwavering sense of responsibility,” said Sergey Yaglinsky, Manager of Driver Services. “The HyLife Million Mile Club is our way of saying thank you to the drivers who’ve literally gone the distance, both safely and consistently.”
Driver Jeff Dotty, who has spent more than 40 years behind the wheel and reached one million safe miles, said safety is a daily decision.
“Don’t take dangerous chances. It is not worth my life or someone else’s,” Dotty said. “Knowing your boundaries and your environment is everything.”
Pride in a job well done
The celebration included recognition speeches, milestone plaques, and a three-tiered cake representing one, two and three million miles. For HyLife and LPR, the event was about more than recognition—it was about honouring the values of safety and consistency that underpin their transportation division.
HyLife, founded in Southeast Manitoba in 1994, employs more than 2,600 people and exports to over 20 countries. The company operates feed, barn, fleet, and pork plant facilities across Canada and produces 2.5 million hogs annually.