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Mr.
Patrick Francis Collins, a St. John’s clothing merchant,
became a Customs Broker shortly after a fire destroyed his store
in 1913. Newfoundland was still a colony of Great Britain when
King George V appointed P.F. Collins as the Customs Broker for
Newfoundland in 1921.
Being in business for as long as we have, PF Collins has certainly
witnessed many changes. With a client base extending to virtually
every sector of the economy, what started out as a one-man office
with a desk, a pen, and a few customs forms has evolved into
a state-of-the-art, electronically linked industry.
What a long way we’ve come…
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the first part of the last century, international transport
was still largely marine and St. John’s was the key
port of entry for Newfoundland. PF Collins participated in
the development of Newfoundland’s first industries and
helped arrange the movement of vital imported goods to points
around the island. After confederation with Canada, Newfoundland’s
trading patterns and transportation systems began to change
significantly. PF Collins and his son Bernard, who joined
the firm in 1935, welcomed these challenges as an opportunity
to further expand the business. They participated in early
industrial developments from the pulp and paper mills of Grand
Falls and Corner Brook to the establishment of the U.S. military
bases at Pepperel and Argentia. They represented the refineries
at Holyrood and Come-By-Chance and the Churchill Falls Hydro
development, while also including the province’s many
fishing and mining interests among their clientele, not to
mention St. John’s merchants and factories.
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By
the 1970’s, Bernard J. Collins, the current company president,
joined the family business and took responsibility for developing
the company’s involvement in petroleum exploration activities
off the coast of Newfoundland. During offshore exploration in
the 1970’s, working with both operators and government
legislators, he initiated many operational procedures to accommodate
the then “customs free zone” on the Continental
Shelf. As the company continued to grow, it began expanding
its range of services and capabilities as well as its worldwide
network of agents and affiliates. At the same time, PF Collins
initiated an extensive program to incorporate the latest advances
in EDI technology and automation into all aspects of its operations.
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With
the development of Newfoundland’s offshore petroleum industry,
PF Collins exceeded expectations for customs brokerage and freight
forwarding services, from the early days of exploration to present
day developments. Today, as a result of our exemplary services,
the company name has expanded into the Nova Scotia and Alberta
marketplaces and is recognized worldwide. Offering professional
services from customs and freight to warehousing, marine agency,
project logistics and immigration consulting, PF Collins is
proud of its rich heritage. Our longevity reflects an enduring
commitment to providing the highest standard of professional
service to every client we represent.
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us serve you today….. |
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