Holman Strengthens Its Role as a Partner for Fleet Managers
A place for exchange and sharing, Holman's annual seminar is also an opportunity for the company to thank its partners for their continued support. Credit: Isabelle Havasy
Brent Scowen, General Manager of Holman Canada, opened the presentations at the company's annual seminar. Credit: Isabelle Havasy
Maxime Michaud, Account Manager at Holman, Stéphane Bisaillon, Corporate Fleet Manager at Englobe, and Emanuela Cordeiro, Client Relations Director at Holman. Credit: Isabelle Havasy
Stéphane Labrecque, fleet manager at Vidéotron, winner of the jersey autographed by Maxim Lapierre. Credit: Isabelle Havasy
A model of resilience and adaptability, former NHL player Maxim Lapierre delivered a candid and heartfelt address during an interview with Michelle Haddow, Regional Sales Director at Holman. Credit: Isabelle Havasy
On April 16, the Sheraton Laval Convention Centre hosted fleet managers, suppliers, and automotive manufacturer representatives for Holman’s annual client seminar.
The morning centered on two key objectives:equipping fleet professionals with practical tools to navigate a rapidly evolving landscape and fostering the exchange of best practices across the industry.
Michelle Haddow, District Sales Manager for Quebec and the Maritimes at Holman, officially launched the first event in the company’s annual Fleet Forum series. The multi-city initiative begins in Laval before moving to Toronto, Calgary, and concluding in Vancouver. Delivered in a bilingual format and tailored to each region, the series aims to inform and educate participants on the latest industry developments, while strengthening connections with clients and partners. It also provides a platform to better understand the current prioritiesand future direction of Canadian fleets.
Brent Scowen, General Manager of Holman Canada, followed with remarks delivered primarily in French. He emphasized the importance of continuous adaptation in response to shifting market demands. While the past year has been marked by uncertainty, it has also seen a notable increase in organizations seeking guidance amid a surge in mergers and acquisitions.
To address these needs, Holman is advancing its five-year technology modernization plan, launched in 2025, while expanding beyond traditional fleet services with the introduction of a robotics division. Scowen also noted that the company has been recognized among North America’s top employers for the ninth consecutive year.
Data at the Core of Fleet Performance
Data emerged as a central theme throughout the morning. Sandra Valenti, Holman Ottawa-based Account Executive, presented a comparative framework built on more than twenty performance indicators, designed to deliver a clear and actionable index for fleet optimization. The approach focuses on four key levers: performance metrics, maintenance strategies, telematics, and customized operational measures. Preventive maintenance, in particular, was highlighted for its direct impact on controlling operating costs.
A practical perspective was provided by Stéphane Bisaillon, Corporate Fleet Manager at Englobe, during a discussion with Emanuela Cordeiro and Maxime Michaud of Holman. As Englobe rapidly expanded from 300 to more than 3,000 employees in just a few years, managing its growing fleet became an immediate challenge.
Bisaillon explained that one of the primary hurdles was gaining organizational buy-in for a structured vehicle replacement strategy. Through its partnership with Holman, Englobe implemented a centralized fleet management system built on reliable, high-quality data, an initiative that significantly enhanced the department’s credibility. Today, data has become a key driver of operational efficiency and growth within the organization.
A Conversation on Performance and Mindset
The event concluded with a keynote conversation featuring former NHL player Maxim Lapierre. In a candid, fireside-style discussion with Haddow, Lapierre reflected on his journey, from his early years in Repentigny to a 614-game career in the NHL, and his transition into a media role.
Speaking with authenticity and clarity, he underscored the importance of discipline and resilience, values instilled early in life. Drawing parallels between sport and business, Lapierre described both as environments where individuals must operate within structured systems while contributing to collective success.
His message centered on the importance of taking action. Overanalyzing, he noted, can often hinder progress, whereas decisive action creates momentum. Reflecting on his career, Lapierre acknowledged spending too much time trying to meet external expectations rather than fully embracing his own strengths. “I was intimidated by the machine instead of trusting myself,” he said, a perspective that resonated strongly with an audience navigating its own high-performance challenges.
The Laval seminar marked a strong start to Holman’s Fleet Forum series, bringing together strategic insight and practical experience around a shared goal: better equipping fleet leaders to meet today’s challenges and prepare for what lies ahead.
