Steven Estey - Saint Mary's University

Fresh
Idea
Gary Humphries, President and CEO
of Trans Industrial Packaging Ltd.
Spotlight: Green Entrepreneurs
Saint Mary’s graduate Gary Humphries (B Comm ’71) knows what it’s like to savour a long-awaited reward.
As President and CEO at Trans Industrial Packaging Ltd. of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Gary is finally unveiling
his revolutionary invention for packaging fresh seafood for shipping. The unique shipping container, brand
named Thermafresh, was eight years in the making and the idea has been bandied about for more than thirty
years. Most notably, Thermafresh containers are recyclable; over 97% of the product is paper fiber and, after
the recycling processes, it is made into other paper products.
According to Gary, who founded Trans Industrial 20 years ago, this particular product was a great concept
with lots of hiccups.
MakesWaves
By Joanne Ellis
“It took eight long years of work, more work and rework to come up with this system,” says Gary. “Everything
from the intellectual property, the design and custom production were led by our team of 25 employees
right here in Nova Scotia.”
With interest now coming in from around the globe including Peru, Europe and the US Eastern seaboard
from Miami to Maine, he’s hoping it’s pay-off time for all that patience.
What kept the team going all that time…all those Christmas and summer vacations year after year? With a
laugh Gary ponders, “Well, maybe it’s the Maritime tenacity, but we never gave up. Every rework and every
hurdle just pushed us farther. ”
As this friendly, unassuming executive describes the process leading to the public launch and its growth
potential, you can’t help but get excited about this Canadian homegrown business success story.
All the biggest players in the international packaging industry have tried to come up with a sustainable
way of shipping fish this way, but until now the only option was non-biodegradable polystyrene foam. In
some cities, the use of polystyrene foam is banned and the trend is expanding as consumer demand for
environmentally sustainable products increases.
This Dartmouth native still makes Saint Mary’s a part of his busy life. He keeps in touch with many of
his university friends, who remain close to this day. He also enjoys connecting with other alumni at the
annual golf events and dinners. “I am very proud of my Saint Mary’s alumni status and grateful for what
the university provided me.”
A father of five who makes St. Margaret’s Bay home, Gary is now negotiating to sign up Thermafresh customers.
And when they do, you just know the celebration toasts will be made over chilled drinks, packed on ice.
20 MAROON & WHITE I SAINT MARY’S UNIVERSITY MAROON & WHITE I SAINT MARY’S UNIVERSITY 21