North American trade has faced more disruptions in the past 12 months than it has in the previous four decades but one Winnipeg-based customs broker is guiding its clients through the uncertain environment. The on-again, off-again tariffs introduced by U.S. President Donald Trump have shaken many North America importers and exporters. What began as a 25 per cent levy on Canadian goods quickly expanded to include steel, aluminum, autos and eventually a 50 per cent tariff on steel and aluminum.
“We’ve been forced to respond quickly to uncertainty in what was once a very efficient system,” says Richard (Rick) Riess, co-CEO and executive chair of GHY International.
This new uncertainty highlights the crucial role customs brokers play in cross-border trade. They handle the clearance of goods, prepare documentation, calculate duties and arrange payments. GHY supports more than 2,500 importers and exporters and processes more than 750,000 transactions each year worth more than $18 billion. This scale is vital as trade conditions shift. For many Canadian companies, especially in Manitoba, the 1988 Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement created a long-standing expectation of duty-free access. That stability has been replaced by rapid, unpredictable and high-impact tariff swings.
“The scale of these tariffs is extraordinary,” Riess says. “You’re going from zero duty to billions of dollars in costs and you’re trying to make business decisions while reacting to tariff threats and supply chain disruptions.”
In this new environment, trade demands more from exporters. Even veteran exporters now require deeper consulting and impact analyses. Some companies can re-engineer products to qualify for preferential treatment under the U.S.–Mexico– Canada Agreement (USMCA).
Despite the ongoing political rhetoric, many Canadian-made goods remain duty-free until next year when the USMCA will be renegotiated.
Still, tariff changes are often announced randomly by the U.S. and pre-emptively by Canada while preparing for those negotiations. GHY’s primary role is to help clients understand and adapt to all the challenges in the evolving customs environment while simultaneously maintaining the flow of trade.
“We help clients evaluate their business cases, give them the facts and outline the impacts on their operations,” Riess says. “We make the border invisible in terms of red tape.” Accurate reporting is critical. Ottawa and Washington announce compliance targets annually and the risks of non-compliance include audits and fines.
“It’s important to get reporting right. You don’t want to trigger an audit,” Riess says, noting the role of customs brokers is more crucial than ever. “We’ve gone from free trade among many countries to protected trade quickly, often at the whim of one person. The biggest challenge is randomness. There’s no time to plan. You’re always reacting, never certain where tariffs will go next.”
Even with all the pressures, GHY has expanded over the last five years under the leadership of Chris Bachinski (president and co-CEO), Vicki DeLuca (executive vice-president of corporate solutions), Alan Dewar (executive vice-president of client relations), Bob Cowie (vice-president of consulting), Roger Labossiere (chief financial officer), Carrie Sott (vice-president of U.S. operations) and Bruno Biondi (vice-president of Canadian operations).
This growth fuels investments in broader Canadian and U.S. markets, building a strong foundation for future expansion from Winnipeg. GHY is entering a new era thanks to a majority investment from Halifax-based SeaFort Capital and co-investment from Jessiman Family Investments in Winnipeg. This includes both Geo. H. Young & Co. Ltd. and GHY USA, Inc., providing resources to accelerate growth while keeping the corporate headquarters and leadership in Winnipeg.
Riess retains significant equity ownership and several executives remain shareholders, ensuring continuity as the company moves forward with GHY 2.0.
“Working alongside Rick for the past eight years and laying the foundation for another 125 years has been a great privilege,” says Bachinski. “Through careful diligence, we selected the right partners in SeaFort and JFI to continue the stewardship of GHY.”
One thing that won’t change is the company’s level of care for both clients and associates. “We will accelerate our growth through significant investment in technology and acquisitions,” Bachinski says.
About GHY International
Founded in 1901 by Riess’s great-grandfather, George Henry Young, GHY International began as a small family customs brokerage.
Over four generations, it has evolved into one of North America’s most trusted trade compliance and customs brokerage providers. Riess feels it’s important to recognize the people who have been instrumental in the company’s success over the past few decades as well as those leading it into the future.
“Leading alongside Reynold Martens for nearly three decades was transformational for GHY, providing the foundation for Chris Bachinski’s leadership, which has inspired our organization’s leaders, accelerated growth and strengthened our readiness for what lies ahead. His vision has opened new avenues of opportunities, fostered a culture of care and secured GHY’s position for lasting success,” he says.
Building on this legacy, the company also extends its appreciation to the many long-serving team members whose dedication, expertise and passion continue to define GHY’s success.
They are: Adam Fron, Alan Dewar, Alexander McNabb, Amanda Bilowus, Andrea Lavallee, Andy Cheung, Andy Szutiak, Anita Smith, Anthony Dumenchuk, Brent Boulter, Bruno Biondi, Carol-Ann Kjartanson, Carrie Sott, Christie Medeiros, Cliff Tuck, Corey Tkach, Corie Koropatnicki, Corrine Farler, Crystal Cann, Curtis Meagher, Cynthia Fortlage, Darcy Calder, Darian Houston, David Rostek, Debbie Rodewald, Donna Fetterly, Ed Burnett, Elizabeth Bill, Erica Fritz, Florevic Protacio, Gary Stempnick, Glen Linington, Glen Beer, Gwen Kozak, Hayley Shirtliffe, Heather Rivard, Helen Kozak, Jackie Marchenko, James Kwong, Jean Carter, Jeff Homstad, Jeremy Giesbrecht, Jess Ian Poblete, Jessica Mason, Jim Thompson, John Smith, Krissy Kiziuk, Lisa Ward, Lorraine Hradowy, Mackenzie West, Maria DaSilva, Mark Balitsky, Neil Feir, Noreen O’Gorman, Nyree Menzies, Paul Courcelles, Rita Gerardy, Robert Schwartz, Robert (Bob) Cowie, Roger Labossiere, Scott Sturby, Sheri Robb, Shirley Jolly, Tanya Copet, Tony Gurniak, Trevor Caners, Valerie Michaud, Vanessa Nelson and Vicki Deluca.
GHY’s history, defined by four eras
- 1960s–1980s – Under Charles Riess, Gordon Feir and Amie Decock, GHY built its Manitoba-based brand on personalized service excellence and customer relationships, laying the foundation for future growth.
- 1980s–2017 – Led by Rick Riess, Reynold Martens and a strong leadership team, GHY expanded its footprint as technology enabled broader market reach. Martens spearheaded U.S. expansion through GHY USA, Inc. while serving in key trade associations, including Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) and I.E. Canada, a national, non-profit organization representing importers and exporters. During this period, GHY was recognized by Deloitte as one of Canada’s best-managed companies, a distinction it has maintained for 18 consecutive years.
- 2017–Present – Under Chris Bachinski and the current leadership team, GHY has advanced its legacy through strong growth, new opportunities and a culture of care, ensuring the company’s continued success well into the future.
- GHY 2.0 – Recent investments from SeaFort Capital and Jessiman Family Investments provide the resources to accelerate growth, drive innovation and expand service offerings.
GHY International
809-167 Lombard Ave. Winnipeg, MB R3B 3H8
Phone: (204) 947-6851 Toll Free: +1 (800) 667-0771
