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Learn about the history of Purolator. Here are our greatest milestones that have shaped the Purolator of today.

We’re proud to celebrate 60+ years of delivering our customers’ promises. Over the last six decades, we’ve grown from a company with two employees, to recently launching a historic growth and innovation investment plan. Here are some of our greatest milestones that have shaped the Purolator of today.

 

Building the foundations for shipping in Canada.

1960

Purolator began operations on December 5, 1960, as Trans Canadian Couriers Ltd. 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.

1973

After being acquired by a U.S.- based company, Purolator Filters a few years earlier, we officially changed our company name to Purolator Courier Ltd. The name Purolator is short for "Pure Oil Later.”

1987

Purolator returned to Canadian ownership and would go on to be owned mainly (91 per cent) by Canada Post Corporation.

1987

Formed an alliance with a U.S. air-express delivery carrier, which enabled us to provide time-sensitive delivery solutions to virtually every U.S. zip code.

 

Driving technological innovation and expansion.
1993

Launched the first Purolator website, paving the way for innovative online shipping features to be developed for our customers.

1997

Purolator became the first Canadian courier company to offer pickup requests on the internet with the launch of Purolink. Customers could track packages, check rates and transit times and download our automated shipping software. Within one year of launching, 1 million shipment requests were processed.

1997

Reinforcing our commitment to our customers, Purolator began to offer same-day pickup and delivery services.

1998

Purolator introduced 24-hour bilingual customer service to our toll-free number, 1 888 SHIP-123, available from anywhere in North America.

1998

Our cross-border subsidiary is launched. Purolator Courier, U.S. (later to become Purolator International) provides U.S. businesses delivery services to Canada using our long-standing expertise.

 

Focusing on modernization, growth and customer service.

2003

At a time of substantial dialogue regarding security, Purolator was one of a select few companies in Canada to receive Partners in Protection (PIP), Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) and Free and Secure Trade (FAST) approval. This achieved all three levels of voluntary trans-border security programs from agencies on both sides of the Canada-U.S. border.

2003

Purolator received ISO 9001:2000 registration, allowing us to clearly define our quality focus, and align it with efforts to deliver superior customer care. This important initiative laid the groundwork for proactive and measured continuous improvement.

2003

Founded the Purolator Tackle Hunger® program, a food drive campaign designed to address the issue of hunger in Canada and benefit local food banks across the country.

2005

Invested in environmentally-friendly transport options and became the first Canadian courier to start the transition to hybrid-electric vehicles.

 

Reinforcing commitments to our customers, the community and the environment.
2010

Purolator was chosen as the official courier for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. Plus, we won the prestigious Sustainability Star award for supporting the Olympic Village’s courier requirements with the Quicksider, our battery-operated electric vehicle.

2015

Launched Purolator LogisticsTM, an integrated service to help customers improve supply chain efficiency, reduce distribution costs and improve speed to market.

2016

Recognized by Supply and Demand Chain Executive magazine as a supply chain “Pro to Know” in the U.S.-Canadian shipping business.

2018

Launched the first of its kind, Mobile Quick Stop. Ten trucks placed in Canadian cities create convenient, alternative locations for consumers to pick up packages.

2019

Launched Purolator QuickShipTM, Canada’s first service that allowed businesses to deliver products to consumers seven days a week with same-day or next-day delivery.

2019

Purolator announced a plan to deliver the future through growth and innovation over the next five years.

 

Investing in tomorrow’s growth, innovation and customer experience.

2020

Purolator launched fully-electric low-speed vehicles and e-bikes to reduce its carbon footprint and provide greater fleet flexibility in urban centres.

2020

Purolator remained on the front lines of distribution during the pandemic, delivering COVID-19 testing kits and diagnostic equipment to help accelerate testing goals. Alongside delivering critical health care, home deliveries surged by 50 per cent from 2019.

2021

At the centre of our growth and innovation strategy is Purolator’s new $330 million, 430,000-sq-ft National Hub facility. Scheduled for completion in late 2021, this new facility will house world-class automation features, helping more customers get even more packages to their destinations quickly, safely and reliably.

2021

Purolator launches fully-electric curbside-delivery trucks – the first to be launched nationally by a Canadian courier company. These electric delivery trucks will reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 24 metric tons per year (per vehicle).

What’s next for Purolator?

Learn more about us and how we’re delivering the future.

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