Stories from the community

ERS takes its role in the community seriously. We sponsor rugby. Why? Because rugby requires toughness and teamwork, just like refuelling in Northern Alberta. But Alberta is not all about winterand work; it is a great place to enjoy sport and the outdoors.

With this in mind...

 The Ft. McMurray Knights Rugby Club was pleased to accept a cheque for $5,000 from a company working locally. Todd Van Vliet, Co-President of Environmental Refuelling Systems Inc. (ERS), was on hand to make the presentation at the Knights first home game on Saturday, May 31. ”We are very proud to be able to give something back to people who live and work in Ft. McMurray”, said Van Vliet. “Of course we hope to increase the profile of the Knights and our company by this sponsorship, but more than that we want to prove that Ft. McMurray is a great place to live, to work and to play.”

ERS and its subsidiary, ERS Transport Inc., specialize in providing fuel supply chain management to the Athabasca Oilsands. Their business includes the sourcing, transportation, storage, dispensing, and onsite distribution of liquid fuels. “We aim to take the headaches out of the fuel supply chain for our customers”, Van Vliet noted, “and our employees take pride in keeping our customer's equipment running with zero tolerance for any fuel on the ground.”

Also at the game was one of ERS Transport’s state-of-the-art fuel trucks. Mike Boulton, the driver who himself is a former rugby player, took time to show interested observers the fuel dispensing equipment and the wireless communications system on board. “When it’s minus 40 and fuel is needed, we can get it to our customer and have the information back at the office before breakfast”, said Boulton. He has spent two years with ERS Transport, and derives particular satisfaction working with SAGD drilling programs. “It’s a challenge to keep rigs and all their support vehicles running during the coldest days, but it’s something I enjoy”, he said.

The Knights women were beaten by the Druids of Sherwood Park, but the Knights men handily beat the Druids in a hard running game.