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- 1960 - History
- As a 100% Canadian owned and operated company, Purolator prides
itself on its heritage. The company started on Dec. 5, 1960, as
Trans Canadian Couriers, Ltd., a subsidiary of American Courier
Corp. With a staff of two, the company spent its infancy in the
heart of Eastern Canada, with restricted operating licenses for
the provinces of Ontario and Quebec. In 1967, Purolator Filter
of the United States acquired control of both companies. On Jan.
1, 1973, the name was changed to Purolator Courier. On April 29,
1987, Onex Corporation and others purchased Purolator's Canadian
operations. As a result of acquisition, Purolator became a fully
Canadian owned corporation.
- 1987
- Airborne Express Alliance
- In 1987, Purolator launched a strategic alliance with Airborne
Express, the fastest growing air-express delivery carrier in the
United States. Airborne Express is the only U.S. carrier that
owns and operates a private airport - the largest in the U.S.
This alliance enabled Purolator to offer its customers total distribution
solutions by providing time sensitive delivery of packages to
virtually every U.S. zip code.
- 1987
- Retail Network
- In 1987, Purolator introduced an innovative retail concept for
the Canadian courier industry with the opening of its first Shipping
Centre (the first of its kind in Canada) at Toronto's Yonge/Sheppard
Centre. Today, from coast to coast, over 170 corporate owned and
operated Shipping Centres afford customers easy access to Purolator's
extensive shipping network. Many of these Shipping Centres offer
extended hours that cater to late night shippers, and professionally
trained staff are available to assist with service queries, packaging
advice and rate information. Over time, Purolator's retail concept
has expanded exponentially to include over 435 independently operated
Authorized Shipping Agents and 604 Drop Boxes.
- 1989
- Acquisition of Gelco Express
- In March 1989, Purolator acquired Gelco Express Limited. This
acquisition greatly improved Purolator's operations in British
Columbia, continuing its strong growth and presence in Western
Canada.
- 1989
- Purolator's Shipping System
- In 1989,
Purolator developed a unique, automated shipping system for high
volume customers consisting of a computer, scale, and printer.
Given to customers at no charge, Purolator's automated shipping
system facilitates the process of preparing high volumes of packages
for shipment by automating the task of completing bills of lading.
It also provides customers with online tracking capabilities through
a direct modem link to Purolator.
- 1992
- Voice and Data Communications Networks
- In June 1992, Purolator unveiled a three-year plan to establish
one of Canada's largest voice and data communications networks.
Purolator's customer service network includes a centre in Moncton,
Montreal and Toronto to handle calls for pick up requests, package
tracking, supply orders and general inquiries. In 1998, Purolator
introduced 24-hour bilingual customer service to its toll free
number, 1 888 SHIP-123; available from anywhere in North America,
seven days a week, 365 days a year. Now, customer service centre
specialists handle an average of over 50,000 calls on a typical
day.
- 1993
- Canada Post Corporation
- On Dec. 1,
1993, Canada Post Corporation purchased a 75% interest in Purolator.
In January 1999, Canada Post Corporation purchased an additional
interest in Purolator from Onex, increasing its ownership in Purolator
to 95.81%. Today, Canada Post Corporation owns 94% of Purolator.
- 1994
- Chartered Aircraft
- In January
1994, Purolator chartered a dedicated fleet of aircraft from Kelowna
Flightcraft Air Charter Ltd. (Kelowna). Today, Purolator's chartered
fleet numbers 25 aircraft, including 17 Boeing 727 aircraft, making
Purolator the largest dedicated air express fleet in Canada, with
aircraft chartered from Kelowna (Purolator's main operator) and
several other carriers. On Dec. 30, 1998 Purolator's air operations
celebrated the milestone of moving over 100 million pounds of
freight by air in a single year.
- 1994
- New Corporate Identity
- When Purolator's
new aircraft became operational on March 28, 1994, they displayed
a bold new blue and red logo, created to provide a more energetic
and appealing graphic image.
- 1996
- Purolator's Automated Shipping Software
- In April 1996, Purolator leapt to the forefront of technical
innovation, becoming the first Canadian courier company to introduce
its own state-of-the-art automated shipping software, known as
Purolink. Anyone with a Windows-based personal computer, a modem
and a laser printer, could create mailing lists, prepare bills
of lading, price shipments, order supplies, track packages and
automatically call in pick up requests. On Jan. 15, 1997, less
than one year after the launch of Purolink, Purolator processed
the one-millionth shipment requested using the software.
- 1996
- Alliance with Dynamex Inc. Same Day Services
- On June 10, 1996, in another important strategic move, Purolator
formed an alliance with Dynamex Inc. to give the customers of
both companies access to a full range of Same
Day and overnight courier services. By February 1997, Purolator
offered Same Day service across Canada. Today, Purolator offers
Same Day service to more cities within Canada than any other overnight
courier. Purolator's Same Day services include Next
Flight Out (domestically or internationally), In-City Messenger
and Direct Drive
options.
- 1996 -
Expanding Infrastructure
- To keep pace with growing demand, Purolator built a series of
combined air and ground facilities across Canada. In July 1996,
Purolator broke ground for a 69,000-sq. ft. facility at the Moncton,
New Brunswick airport. Then, in September 1996, a 92,000-sq. ft.
facility was announced for the Winnipeg, Manitoba airport. In
March 1997, Purolator began construction on a 123,000-sq. ft.
facility at the Vancouver, British Columbia airport.
1996 - Purolator
in the U.S.A. - In September 1996, Purolator regained the rights to use the
name Purolator Courier Ltd. in the United States. Prior to regaining
this right, Purolator operated a well respected northbound service
in the United States known as Canadian Distribution Services (CDS).
Canadian Distribution Services' name has since been changed to
Purolator USA. Purolator USA engineers total end-to-end logistics
solutions that enable US based companies to decrease delivery
time and improve service to their Canadian customers.
- 1997 - Internet Presence
- In 1995, Purolator launched its presence on the Internet at
www.purolator.com. In 1996, the site was made interactive and
a year later, in January 1997, Purolator became the first Canadian
courier company to provide customers with the opportunity to order
courier pick ups on the Internet. Customers could also track packages,
check rates and transit times, download Purolator's Automated
Shipping Software (Purolink), and find a host of other useful
information in either French or English online.
- 1997 - 24 Hour Pick up and Delivery
Service
- To meet the growing needs of business people who ship urgent
items after normal business hours, Purolator began offering around-the-clock
pick up and delivery service seven days a week, 24 hours a day,
365 days a year*. This service, launched in September 1997, allowed
customers to request a pick up any time, on any day, anywhere
across Canada simply by calling 1 888 SHIP-123*.
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- 1998 - DHL Worldwide Express Alliance
- International Service
- In August 1998, Purolator formed a strategic alliance with DHL
Worldwide Express, the world's largest and most experienced international
air express carrier. This alliance was established in order to
provide customers with superior delivery to international points
outside the U.S. in addition to global logistics and distribution
solutions.
- 1999 - Logistics
- In 1999, Purolator began offering third-party logistics services.
Through strategic alliances, this offering provides a full spectrum
of integrated and customized supply chain solutions.
- 1999 - Employee Share Ownership Plan
- Purolator employees were given the opportunity to invest in
the company through an Employee Share Ownership Plan. The plan
is based on Purolator's corporate mission of obtaining profitable
growth through customer and employee loyalty.
1999 - Infrastructure Expansion- Purolator
announces its plans to embark on an ambitious $82 million expansion
project that will see the opening of 11 new facilities. Each of
the facilities boasts state-of-the-art ergonomic equipment that
will help Purolator continue as the leader in the Canadian courier
industry.
- 2000 - E-Commerce Online Shipping
- In March
2000, Purolator entered a new era with the launch of Online Shipping,
its new electronic commerce initiative. This new feature will
provide all customers with Internet access the option of doing
all of their shipping online at www.purolator.com.
- Purolator
Today
- From its humble beginnings, Purolator now employs over 13,000
people across Canada, and is recognized as one of Canada's largest
employers. Today, Purolator boasts an extensive network that delivers
more packages to destination points in Canada than any other courier.
Handling more than 6.1 million pieces each week, Purolator's network
consists of 143 operations locations including three main Hub
facilities, 14 regional depot/hubs and 12 foot-courier locations.
* Some terms and conditions and geographic service restrictions
apply. Call 1 888 SHIP-123 for details.
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