Dan Leslie - Scaling The Northern Supply Chain

We are heading north of the 49th Parallel today to explore the critical Canadian market with a true builder, Dan Leslie. Dan is the President of Canadian Operations for Warehouse on Wheels, and he brings a wealth of hands-on experience to our conversation. He knows what it is like to answer the phones at midnight and build a business from the ground up with grit and determination.We discuss his journey of acquiring a founder-built organization called Triton Assets back in 2021. Dan explains the unique challenges of transitioning from an owner-operated business into a scalable national strategy that spans across Toronto and Montreal. It is a fascinating look at how a leader maintains a legacy while preparing an organization for massive growth.The real estate market in the Greater Toronto Area has seen staggering shifts, with costs jumping from 3 dollars to 30 dollars per square foot in recent years. Dan explains why mobile warehousing provides the flexibility that modern manufacturers desperately need to survive these rising costs. This optionality is the secret weapon for anyone looking to navigate land constraints and sudden supply chain disruptions.As we look toward the future, Dan issues a powerful challenge to his team for the year 2026. He emphasizes that a customer-first mindset and operational excellence are the only ways to truly win in this competitive industry. Make sure to stay until the end to hear how he plans to exceed every expectation in the coming years.Come find us over on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wowtrailers/CHAPTERS:00:00:00 Introducing Dan Leslie00:02:39 Presence In Canada00:04:37 Biggest Space Headaches00:08:08 Expensive Real Estate00:09:24 Providing Solutions to Challenges00:11:41 Renting Trailers vs. Warehouses00:14:33 Being There For Customers00:16:29 Extreme Weather Challenges00:18:18 Cross Border Issues00:21:26 Contingency Planning and Inventory Management00:22:53 The Best Mechanics In The World00:24:56 Executive-Level Work00:26:56 The Best Drivers In The Business00:29:00 Flexibility00:29:52 Expanding Into Canadian Markets00:31:32 Getting Personal00:33:47 Dan's Reset Button00:35:06 Mentor Advice00:36:26 Myths About Working In Canada00:37:49 The Challenge To The Team00:40:11 Advice from Mentors and Business in Canada00:45:39 Challenge for the Team for 2026