“Essex provides flexibility that traditional banks simply can’t,” Steve Bruneski, owner of Ascent Transport. “They’re true businesspeople doing business—not bankers trying to check boxes.”
Client: Ascent Transport is a specialty hauling and mechanical solutions provider serving Western Canada based in Nisku, Alberta.
Their Challenge: Adapating Through Uncertainty
In 2020, just six years after launching, Ascent Transport found itself in a period of rapid transition.
The COVID pandemic, changing market conditions, and declining onsite work pushed the company to evolve. What began as a picker company quickly expanded into open-pit mining, frac sand hauling, and deck work. However, to seize these opportunities, Ascent needed a lender as agile as they were.
“Our company made a lot of transitions in a short period of time,” said Bruneski. “Essex had a huge impact on us—enabling us to move quickly and fluidly. Whether it was buying or selling equipment, diversifying our fleet, or securing operational cash, Essex helped us adapt as times changed.”
Why Essex?
Ascent didn’t start with Essex. Initially, they chose the bank route, drawn by slightly lower interest rates. But it soon became clear that traditional lenders couldn’t offer the flexibility or creativity needed to grow.
That’s when Bruneski turned to Essex—people he had worked with before and knew he could trust. For him, the marginal difference in rates wasn’t nearly as valuable as the strategic support and adaptability Essex provided.
The Essex Approach: Relationship-Driven Solutions
It took just one conversation for Essex to fully understand Ascent’s challenges and move quickly on a custom solution.
Rather than taking a narrow view, Essex considered the full picture—everything from real estate and equipment financing to introducing an asset-based line of credit (ABLOC). They looked beyond standard criteria, evaluating market value, business trajectory, and cash flow.
The Results: Growth Without Compromise
In just three years, Ascent established itself as a premier handler for frac sand hauling. They tripled their business in the first year and are on track to double that. By January 2024, they’ll have invested over $11 million in equipment—all financed through Essex.
“It’s not about the interest rate—it’s about the relationship,” said Bruneski. “To move quickly and have a lending partner that moves with you, that’s what makes Essex worth it.”
Need a more flexible lender?
If rigid terms or rising costs are holding your business back, Essex Lease Financial can help. Our team offers personalized solutions for equipment financing, working capital, debt restructuring, and more—built around your business goals.
Get in touch with us today to learn more or get started.