Safe and innovative baby products know no international borders, so when one leading Pennsylvania-based manufacturer of cutting-edge strollers and other baby gear set its sights on an expansion to Canada, a ready market was waiting. The company negotiated contracts with Canadian divisions of several top U.S. retailers, along with several leading Canadian specialty stores.
But just as the retailer was poised to enter the Canadian market, a very significant reality set in. The retailer had assumed it could rely on its U.S.-based logistics provider. After all, the logistics provider performed admirably in handling the retailer’s U.S.-based needs. Well, as the retailer soon learned, U.S. logistics are not Canadian logistics, and shipping to Canada requires an entirely different capability.
Once it became apparent that its U.S. logistics provider was not suited for the task, the retailer turned to Purolator International. Purolator conducted a thorough assessment of the retailer’s needs in Canada, and analyzed the way shipments were being processed. Among the findings: Shipments were following a very dysfunctional process, and the company was being charged exceedingly high logistics costs.
The challenge
For this particular retailer, precision timing and flawless execution were top priorities as it launched its brand with Canada’s leading retailers. The retailer had run into trouble with its previous provider, who did not have the flexibility or assets to get the job done.
Purolator specialists also determined that the retailer was paying for premium service it simply did not need. Products that were not expected in Canada until a certain date were arriving via costly expedited service, when a ground level service would have been sufficient. This was happening because the retailer was forced to accept the inflexible and unhelpful service options offered by its previous provider.
We offer a single-source solution with all services—including kitting, labeling, packaging, sorting, and scanning—taking place in the same facility, by the same team. This is highly efficient and ensures accountability.
We combine smaller shipments into a single larger unit before crossing the border. This allows them to clear customs as a single unit, avoiding time-consuming individual inspections and reducing customs fees.
We use our extensive Canadian network to offer tailored pickup and delivery options, including last-mile service to remote regions, without ever handing off shipments to an unknown third party.
Every customer is assigned a dedicated "client relations representative" who is responsible for day-to-day management. They know the account inside-and-out and are fully engaged to solve problems, often before the client even knows they exist.
The results
The retailer has seen considerable savings as the result of Purolator’s customized solutions and range of service options. The retailer now pays for the “service it needs,” rather than the “only service offered.” The retailer has repeatedly been amazed by the scope of Purolator’s offerings and says that Purolator routinely offers ideas and capabilities that had previously not even been mentioned as possible solutions. The retailer is grateful to have a trusted logistics partner on its team, and is happy to be able to focus on coming up with the “next big thing” in baby gear.
“We knew pretty much right away that we could provide a better solution,” says Betty Jo Rodey, Purolator International’s Strategic Account Executive. “No one else has the access to the Canadian market that Purolator does, so we went to work to deliver the solution this company wanted in the first place.”
Consumers around the world likely have one or two products in their kitchen drawers from this international manufacturer of innovative devices. From corkscrews and wine sealers to strawberry hullers and garlic presses, the company is known for its highly creative, sleek-looking devices that make life simpler for today’s consumer.
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Don’t let logistics be an afterthought. A successful Canadian launch requires a partner with deep market knowledge. We can build a custom solution from the ground up to ensure your entry is a smooth one.
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