Purolator is a leading integrated freight, parcel and logistics provider delivering packages to, from and within Canada.
About Purolator
- For six decades, Purolator has raised the bar in supply chain solutions, with its presence in Canada and expertise in the United States.
- With one of the most extensive networks in Canada, Purolator can reach some of the most remote locations, helping businesses deliver on their promises and drive results with customized transportation and supply chain solutions.
Purolator Business
- Purolator is a leading integrated freight, parcel and logistics provider - delivering parcels to, from and within Canada, providing businesses with uncharted Canadian reach and U.S. northbound expertise, continually optimizing Purolator’s supply chain solutions and cross-border operations.
- Proudly boasting one of the most extensive networks in Canada, covering some of the most remote regions, Purolator has the scale to help businesses truly deliver on their promises and drive results, from corner to corner, coast to coast.
Development History
Purolator began operations on December 5, 1960 as Trans Canadian Couriers Ltd. The company had two employees and spent its start-up period in the heart of Eastern Canada with limited operating licenses in Ontario and Quebec.
-1973, after being acquired by an American company Purolator Filters, the company name was officially changed to Purolator Courier Ltd. Purolator is the abbreviation of "Pure Oil Later";
-In 1987, Purolator returned to Canadian ownership and continues to be majority (91%) owned by Canada Post, forming an alliance with a U.S. air courier company, which enables Purolator to provide time-sensitive delivery solutions to nearly every U.S. ZIP code.
1993: Launched the first Purolator website, paving the way for the development of innovative online shipping features for Purolator’s customers.
-1997: With the launch of Purolink, Purolator becomes the first Canadian courier to offer pickup requests over the Internet. Customers can track packages, check rates and transit times, and download Purolator's automated shipping software. Within a year of its launch, 1 million shipping requests were processed. To strengthen Purolator's commitment to its customers, Purolator begins offering same-day pickup and delivery services.
-1998, Purolator introduced 24-hour bilingual customer service to Purolator's toll-free number 1888SHIP-123, accessible anywhere in North America, and Purolator's cross-border subsidiary was established, Purolator Courier, US (later renamed Purolator International) to provide U.S. business delivery services to Canada, leveraging Purolator's long-standing expertise;
-2003, during a period of substantive dialogue on security, Purolator was one of the few companies in Canada to receive approval from Partners in Protection (PIP), Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT), and Free and Secure Trade (FAST), a voluntary cross-border security program that achieves all three levels of agencies on both sides of the Canada-U.S. border, Purolator received ISO 9001:2000 registration, allowing Purolator to clearly define Purolator's quality focus and align it with its efforts to provide excellent customer service. This important move laid the foundation for proactive and measured continuous improvement, creating the Purolator Tackle Hunger® program, a food drive campaign to address hunger in Canada and benefit local food banks across the country;
-2005, invested in environmentally friendly transportation methods and became the first Canadian express delivery company to begin the transition to hybrid vehicles;
- In 2010, Purolator was selected as the official courier for the 2010 Winter Olympics. In addition, Purolator won the prestigious Sustainability Star Award for supporting the delivery requirements of the Olympic Village with its battery-powered electric vehicle, the Quicksider;
-2015, launched Purolator Logistics TM, a comprehensive service that helps customers improve supply chain efficiency, reduce distribution costs and accelerate time to market;
-2016, named "Pro to Know" in the U.S.-Canada shipping industry supply chain by Supply and Demand Chain Executive magazine;
-2018, launched the first of its kind Mobile Quick Stop. Ten trucks placed in Canadian cities provide consumers with a convenient alternative location to pick up packages;
-2019, launched Purolator QuickShip TM, a first-of-its-kind service in Canada that allows businesses to deliver products to consumers seven days a week, same-day or next-day, Purolator announced a plan to deliver the future through growth and innovation over the next five years;
- In 2020, Purolator launched all-electric low-speed vehicles and e-bikes to reduce its carbon footprint and provide greater fleet flexibility in urban centers. Purolator remained on the front line of distribution during the pandemic, providing COVID-19 test kits and diagnostic equipment to help accelerate testing goals, in addition to providing important healthcare services. Home delivery services surged 50% compared to 2019;
-In 2021, the core of Purolator's growth and innovation strategy is Purolator's new $330 million, 430,000 square foot National Center facility. Scheduled to be completed by the end of 2021, this new facility will have world-class automation capabilities to help more customers deliver more packages to their destinations quickly, safely and reliably. Purolator launches all-electric curbside delivery trucks - the first trucks launched nationwide by a Canadian courier company. These electric delivery trucks will reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 24 metric tons per year (per vehicle).
