Longtime owners sell Kitchener bus company after more than 40 years

The founders of Great Canadian Holidays and Coaches have sold the business to a group of investors. CTV’s Colton Wiens reports.

Great Canadian Holidays and Coaches has changed ownership after founders and longtime owners Lorna and Larry Hundt decided to sell the business.

For over 40 years the Hundts have grown the bus company into a thriving business serving customers across the province.

“We’re not 29 anymore. And, while we’re still invigorated and love the industry and are never short of ambition and ideas and goals, time is of the essence. And it’s time that we stepped back,” said Lorna Hundt, Former owner of Great Canadian Holidays and Coaches.

Now, with three grandkids and other endeavours to enjoy, the two decided to sell the company to a group of investors that include KCM Holdings, WeShall Investments and Second Bite Capital.

“It’s in great hands. Combined with Ankit, his partner Reza. Our daughter Michelle is looking after the tour company. Our present coach manager, Caroline, is looking after the coach company. Nothing’s changing,” Lorna said.

The Hundt’s started Travel Ventures in Kitchener in 1984, offering group travel to North American destinations. Eventually, becoming the Great Canadian brand and expanding to over 50 coach buses, three garages and offering trips of all kinds.

“This has been our life. right from the time I was a student at the University of Waterloo to today. And we’ve made a lot of memories for a lot of people,” Larry Hundt said.

The purchasers also bought Tisdale Bus Lines in Northern Ontario, saying it was the perfect opportunity to bring both best-in-class operators together.

“We think this is the right time, to work with both Great Canadian and Tisdale to grow across the province and even beyond over time. But our focus is Ontario today,” said Ankit Kamboj, Founder and Principal of KCM Holdings.

There are not any plans to change the logos or locations of either service. All staff are expected to remain. Great Canadian and Tisdale will keep their name but are consolidated under the legal name Fortress Coach Partners.

“We feel very relieved because it has been a long process. Certainly, COVID was one of the most difficult challenges we ever had in our business life,” Larry said.

The Hundts said while the business has now recovered from the pandemic, recently Canada’s ongoing trade war with the United States caused trips to the USA to plumet, which forced the business to pivot again.

“We loaded up the late spring, summer and fall with Canadian product like you wouldn’t believe. And it’s been phenomenal. It’s been well received. The load factors are great. Financially, we’re going to come out the same. Which is astounding when you consider that most of our overnight tours are into the US,” Lorna said.

The Hundt’s said trips south can easily be brought back.

“I still read all the comment forms from the passengers and it’s ‘what are your next plans in Canada until things change? Until Canada, until the next administration?’ So, it will come back and it will come back hard and fast,” Lorna said.

The Hundts will remain as partners with the business going forward and have high hopes for the future.

“We’re going to be in good shape to continue memories for people for a long time to come,” Larry said.