John Ferguson, president and CEO of Purolator.
Purolator says it will invest more than $1 billion in its Canadian operations as a result of record volume and e-commerce growth.
“Today’s announcement is one of the most ambitious in our company’s history and will future-proof our business,” said John Ferguson, president and CEO of Purolator, in a news release.
“Purolator has experienced record growth over the past three years. We picked up and delivered over one-quarter of a billion packages in 2018 and we expect our growth trajectory to continue. We have consistently evolved over our 60 years to stay one step ahead of change and this investment will solidify our position to deliver the future for generations to come, creating opportunities at home, across North America and around the world for businesses, consumers and employees.”
The company said its national investments include:
- New national super hub: The centrepiece of Purolator’s growth and innovation investment is a new $330 million, 430,000-square-foot national hub set on 60-acres in Toronto set to open in 2021. The facility will triple capacity.
- Job creation and training: Purolator has created 2,500 new jobs over the past three years, an increase in its workforce of 20 per cent.
- Fleet upgrades: In 2019 and 2020, more than 1,000 new vehicles with advanced technology will be introduced across the country to improve delivery performance and safety. It plans to roll out its first wave of fully electric vehicles in 2020 to complement its hybrid electric fleet.
- Consumer access strategy: The company is adding more consumer access points across Canada and enhancing its retail network. This includes upgrading high-traffic stores in large urban centres, expanding its Mobile Quick Stop service – which acts as retail outlets on wheels – and piloting new last-mile pickup and delivery options for consumers offering more flexibility and choice.
Purolator has plans for a state-of-the-art Toronto-area terminal – an $8.5-million, 110,000-square-foot terminal in North York that will add up to 135 delivery routes and sustain 200 jobs through a combination of new and existing positions.
It said additional regional expansions will be announced across Canada over the next 12 months.
Purolator is a Canadian courier 91 per cent owned by Canada Post.
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