Top 10 Logistics Companies in Canada

Canada’s logistics company growth is increasing rapidly with every passing day. Just in the past few years, the e-commerce market has witnessed a growth of 3-4%. This rapid growth is attributed to the automated technology of Canada’s logistics market. Hence, the end products of this market are efficient solutions of logistics.

This has also made warehousing and delivery services more trustworthy as compared to other functions of logistics solutions. The top-tier Canadian companies have continuously offered much competitive prices and always provide strength for operation.

These logistics solutions companies in Canada are playing a vital role in supporting the increase of eCommerce businesses and enterprises. Therefore, we observe that many individuals keep looking for logistics solutions companies that complete all their demands and needs but cannot find a perfect fit for them.

Here, we are providing the details of logistics companies for you. Let us dive into the top logistics companies in Canada, to uplift your online business.

1) Yusen

Founded in 1988, Yusen Logistics Company of Canada offers modern infrastructure and facilities that are very secure. It is a reliable shipping company with over 1,50,000 sqm of area in its warehouse.

The headquarters of Yusen are located in Canada, Brampton, and Ontario. The industries it works for include Healthcare, Aerospace, Packaged food products, and Electronics.

Their services include:

• Freight services.
• Contracts logistics warehouse management.
• Customs brokerage.

Features of Yusen are as follows:

• It is a special delivery company that offers direct in-store delivery that can be done from centers of distribution and fast-order pickups.
• For shipments that are time-sensitive and need special care, Yusen provides temperature-controlled facilities for them.
• They offer customized labeling according to the needs of customers with special packaging. They follow all the quality standards along with this.
• At all the inbound and outbound points of logistics, Yusen performs quality checks. This act secures the management of the supply chain efficiently.

2) XPO

XPO Logistics is a shipping company in Canada that was founded in 2012. It has a wide range of 756 locations of service.

The headquarters of XPO is located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The industries it works for include retailers, online businesses, packaged food deliveries, and companies of beverages. 

Its services include:

• Truck brokerage.
• LTL.
• Global Freight Forwarding.
• Intermodal and drayage.
• Last-mile delivery.
• Managed transportation.

Features of XPO Logistics are as follows:

• For LTL shipments and truck brokerage services, XPO Logistics offers the largest drivers, trucks, and terminal networks.
• XPO Logistics has taken an innovative step by providing end-to-end digital visibility to its customers.
• XPO Logistics offers efficient contact of the customers with the carrier. It also offers dynamic rerouting for pickups and shipping services.
• XPO Logistics also offers data-driven analytics to its customers to let them know the approximate prices and management of the products.

3) Aramex

Another reliable and trustworthy logistics-providing company in Canada is Aramex. It was founded in 2006. They have a range of 600 locations of services around the world. Aramex provides competitive shipping rates for customers and online businesses.

The headquarters of Aramex is located in Mississauga, ON, Canada. The industries it works for include oil and gas, small business solutions, drop or shop and ship.

Its services include:

• Express shipping.
• Drop/Shop and ship.
• Shipping service for small businesses.

Features of Aramex include:

• The wide 3PL network of Aramex facilitates inventory management, stock control, and optimal storage. 
• They offer customized pick-up and delivery services, management for return of orders and customer care through their premium logistics operations.
• Another feature is that Aramex offers their customers compensation if any of their shipments end up broken or damaged during the delivery process.
• The tracking systems of Aramex provide end-to-end visibility to their customers and let them track their orders in real-time.

4) CanadaPost

In Canada, a postal service company with a rich history and a strong base is CanadaPost. It was founded in 1867. It has coverage for many remote addresses and is also a primary postal service company in Canada. It operates from more than 20 major plants and numerous other processing facilities worldwide, and it maintains more than 6,000 post offices.

The headquarters of Canada are in Ottawa, Canada. The industries it works for are personal mail and small businesses. 

Their services include:

• Mailing.
• Money services.
• Document sharing.
• Small business mailings.

Features include:

• It offers real-time tracking of the orders to its customers. 
• For shipments with large amounts of volume, it provides competitive rates and prices. Shipping label services are also provided to the customers.
• CanadaPost’s value-added services include customized labeling according to the demand of customers, customized pick-up of orders along with reliable management of return policy.

5) DTDC 

It’s more than 25 years now that DTDC has been a part of Canada’s logistics industry. It was founded in 2011. It has around 10,000 locations around the globe. DTDC offers a shipment service for more than 240 countries.

The headquarters of DTDC are located in Mississauga, ON, Canada. The industries it works for include Healthcare, manufacturing, FMCG, financial sector, and automobile technology.

Services include:

• Express parcel.
• Warehousing.
• Truck transporting.
• Overseas freight.

Features are as follows:

• DTDC Canada offers economically correct prices for warehouse fulfillment and shipping operations.
• DTDC offers a 24/7 management of security and temperature-controlled facilities.
• They offer their customers customized pick-up and delivery services. They also provide customized packaging solutions.
• For delivery services that need to be across borders, DTDC is the go-to provider for it. It offers competitive prices and comprehensive custom clearance.

6) DB Schenker Canada

DB Schenker is known as one of the top-rated shipping companies in Canada. It has been working for more than 50 years now. It was founded in 1953. It has almost 2000 working locations around the globe.

The headquarters of DB Schenker are located in Toronto, Canada. The industries it works for include Aerospace, Healthcare, Fashion, automotive, Marine, and perishables.

Its services include:

• Freight forwarding.
• Land transportation.
• Contract logistics.
• Special products.
• Lead logistics.

Features are as follows:

• They ensure to handle various needs of the industry and provide them customized solutions. 
• Their portal of dedication for order tracking, management, and data analytics is Schenker.
• DB Schenker offers customers with 24/7 support and solutions. It has one portal to manage all its international shipments.

7) Purolator Inc.

Purolator Inc. provides comprehensive solutions to its customers for supply chain management. It has achieved over 60 years of experience as a Logistics company. It was founded in 1960.

Headquarters of Purolator Inc. are located in Mississauga, Ont., Canada. The industries it works for include Retailers, Online businesses, Telco, Healthcare, Small businesses, and Industrial.

Its services include:

• Integrated freight.
• Reverse logistics.
• LTL.
• Dangerous goods.
• Tailgate.
• Delivery.

Features are as follows:

• It can connect you to more than 210 countries.
• They offer a comprehensive real-time tracking system where you can manage all your shipments, with the Purolator express application. 
•  They offer customized packaging. They also provide packaging services for dangerous goods with special care.
• They offer reverse logistics solutions that support next-day delivery services. They also have an efficient system for international shipments.

8) Asendia

Asendia offers cross-border shipping services to Canadian businesses and lets them ship their orders internationally to over 200 countries with seamless delivery. It was founded in 2012 by the works of Swiss Post and La Poste. 

The headquarters of Asendia are located in Folcroft, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. The industries it works with include Publishing and marketing agencies, Fashion and apparel, Beauty and Health, Marketplaces, travel, and tourism.

Its services include:

• International parcel.
• Mail Shipping.
• Cross Border.
• E-Commerce solutions.
• Global Retail.

Features are as follows:

• Their flagship e-PAQ program offers four tiers of parcel and package delivery services for international shipping with order tracking and fast delivery options.
• They also offer a cost-effective mailing service for catalogs, leaflets, brochures, and business mail with a broad network of Post Offices operating in 200 countries.
• They offer specialized services to optimize the fulfillment of online orders. They monitor its return solutions and forward dispatch services.
• Asendia is also a supporter of wind power projects. It is completely neutral from carbon.

9) Canpar

Canpar is well-known among all the small and large businesses for its economical shipments. It was founded in 1967 and has been working for forty years now. Canper provides competitive rates for regular shipments through the ground within the country.

The headquarters of Canper is located in Brompton, Ontario. The industries it works for include E-commerce retailers and small and medium businesses. 

Its services include:

• Ground, select and express shipping in Canada and the U.S.A.
• Pick-up on-demand express.
• Transit rate calculator.
• Tracking.

Features are as follows:

• They provide reference numbers, and destination postal codes, and get customers' signatures at the time of delivery. 
• They offer fast delivery services, next-day, and two-day delivery across Canada. 
• For customers that have a risk of credit, they provide cash on delivery service for them. Further, they have multiple payment options including cheques and money orders.

10) Byexpress

Byexpress is based out of Ottawa. It is a transportation management logistics solutions company. It was founded in 2004 and has been working for almost 20 years now. It completes the specific needs of customers by providing customized service packaging.

The headquarters of Byexpress are located in Ottawa, Canada. The industries it works for include SMBs, E-Commerce enterprises, Manufacturing, Furniture, and Electronics Features.

Its services include:

• FTL/LTL shipping.
• Cross docking.
• Cross-border shipping.
• Custom clearance.
• Supply chain management.
• Distribution management.
• Ocean/ Air freight.

Features are as follows:

• They can well handle less-than-truck load and Full-truck-Load shipments at very reasonable prices.
• They offer fleet-management services, real-time tracking, warehousing, and shipping of heavy-loaded products.
• They offer carrier rate comparisons, negotiated rates with a 40%-60% discount, and schedule multiple shipment pickups.

What are the Challenges of Logistics in Canada?

Every country has a different size and location, but Canada is unique. Canadians are used to driving long distances and dealing with severe weather. But when it comes to running a business and handling logistics, it's much more complicated in Canada compared to many other countries.

Here, we'll look at the top four challenges Canadian businesses face with logistics. Plus, we'll discuss how companies solve these problems.

 

1- Size of the Country

 

Canada is huge in size; it is the second-largest country globally covering over 9.9 million square kilometers. Sending parcels and shipments from one corner to the other takes a lot of resources. Plus, since Canada is mostly surrounded by oceans including one that's frozen for a big part of the year, moving goods around can be tough.

Because of its size fuel and vehicle maintenance are big issues for Canadian businesses. Trucks need fuel to run, and the more they travel, the more maintenance they need. Companies in Canada have to spend a lot of money and effort to keep their transportation fleet in good shape. This can eat into their profits, especially in markets where competition is high.

 

2- Unexpected weather

 

In Canada, dealing with extreme weather is a major problem for the supply chain. Even though we enjoy all four seasons, some parts of the country face tough winters that can disrupt things.

During winter, truck deliveries often get delayed because of sudden heavy snowstorms. These storms and other unexpected weather can slow down the delivery of goods.

For example, in November 2021, floods in British Columbia blocked access to Vancouver, which is Canada's busiest port. This made existing supply chain issues worse, and the effects were felt across the country for many weeks afterwards.

 

3- Vast Distances between Population Centers

 

Canada is not only massive but its population is mostly concentrated in a few big cities, with smaller ones scattered in between. For instance, Toronto and Montreal, the two largest cities are about 550 kilometers distant. But then you have Calgary the third largest city which is a whopping 3,400 kilometers away from Toronto. The distance between two major ports, Vancouver and Halifax, is over 6,100 kilometers.

These distances are huge, and we haven't even talked about how far north Canada goes. Transporting goods across the country is a massive job, and not every company can do it alone. That's why many turn to 3PL logistics providers for help with nationwide transportation and warehousing. These providers have the resources and capabilities that many companies lack to reach all their markets effectively.

 

4- Fuel Price Hikes

 

In Canada, fuel prices can go up and down for many reasons. When fuel costs rise, companies that rely on vehicles that use a lot of gas have to spend more money on fuel.

This means they might have to move money around in their budget which could lead to problems like cutting wages. Also, when fuel prices go up, companies often have to raise the prices of their products to make up for the extra cost.

How Logistics Companies Solve These Problems?

 Here are five ways businesses can potentially lessen the impact of challenges on their operations:

 

1- Emergency plans

 

Logistics companies need backup plans to help their clients effectively. These plans are important for dealing with bad weather or emergencies. Being able to adjust to unexpected situations is crucial for keeping delivery times and services at their best.

 

2- Invest in Advanced Technology

 

Implementing sophisticated logistics software and tracking systems can help optimize routes, manage inventory more efficiently and provide real-time updates on shipments. This can mitigate the effects of unpredictable weather and long distances by enabling quicker decision-making and adaptability.

A good trucking company knows how vital it is to keep track of the weather forecasts, especially for the areas they travel through. They can work with a logistics company that plans for weather problems, making sure their deliveries happen on time no matter what the weather is like.

 

3- Diversify Transportation Modes

 

Relying solely on trucks for transportation can be risky, especially considering fuel price fluctuations and weather-related delays. Diversifying transportation modes by incorporating rail, air, or maritime shipping where feasible can provide alternative options and reduce dependency on any single mode.

 

4- Strategic Warehousing

 

Establishing strategically located warehouses closer to major markets or transportation hubs can help reduce transit times and mitigate the impact of long distances. It enables quicker response to customer demands and provides flexibility in managing inventory during disruptions.

 

5- Invest in Sustainability Initiatives

 

 Adopting sustainable practices not only reduces environmental impact but can also lead to cost savings and operational resilience. Investing in fuel-efficient vehicles, renewable energy sources and eco-friendly packaging can help mitigate the impact of fuel price hikes and regulatory changes while enhancing brand reputation.

How to Choose the Right Logistics Company for Your E-Commerce Business in Canada?

Selecting the right logistics service provider for your e-commerce business in Canada can feel overwhelming. With various companies offering different benefits and services, it's crucial to know what to look for. Here are some essential aspects to consider when making your decision.

 

• Transport and Technology

 

For successful shipments and last-mile deliveries, transport companies need modern technology. This technology requires skilled professionals to maintain it properly.

Having the right fleet of transport vehicles is also crucial for efficient order fulfillment. Expertise in transporting various goods, including hazardous items, is essential. For instance, vehicles with temperature-control systems are necessary for moving perishable items and biopharmaceuticals.

 

• Shipping Costs

 

Shipping can be a big expense for your business, especially when sending out a lot of items. That's why it's important to negotiate shipping prices upfront, customized to fit your business requirements.

Logistics companies have various plans based on factors like package size, how often you ship, where you're delivering to, and different zones. Negotiating prices before you commit ensures there are no unexpected costs when customers check out!

 

• Delivery Services

 

After handling all the shipping tasks, delivery is the last step in completing an order. It includes managing any exceptions in reverse logistics.

Canadian customers want their packages delivered quickly and have certain expectations when shopping online. Delivery standards have evolved to include hyperlocal, same-day, next-day, 2-hour, and super express options.

Selecting a Canadian shipping company that offers customer-friendly delivery choices such as curbside or on-demand delivery can help meet these expectations and keep customers satisfied.

 

• Safety and Security

 

When choosing a third-party logistics provider, it's crucial to prioritize the safety and security of your goods. This involves understanding their policies for storage and transportation, as well as the measures they take to safeguard your cargo from potential damage or theft. Inquire about their driver training protocols and the procedures they follow in the event of loss or damage claims. Opt for a logistics service provider with top-notch safety standards to ensure the protection of your goods.

 

• Location

 

When selecting a logistics service provider, it's important to ensure they have a wide network of fulfillment centers, warehouses, and carrier partners. This ensures they can deliver your goods promptly and to the correct destination. It's beneficial to opt for a provider with multiple fulfillment centers, allowing you to benefit from their extensive coverage. This helps optimize costs while ensuring timely deliveries. Instead of limiting your business to one location, consider a logistics provider strategically located in different regions to better serve your needs.

 

• Logistics Capabilities

 

When researching logistics service providers, focus on their capabilities first. Understand the services they offer and their areas of expertise. Do they handle products like yours? What delivery options do they offer? Can they manage large shipments, or are they better suited for smaller orders? Ensure the provider can meet all your needs and has the capacity to support your long-term requirements.

 

• Insurance Policy

 

Sometimes, shipping doesn't go as planned due to accidents or mishandling. But insurance policies can protect both customers and businesses from financial losses by compensating for lost or damaged products.

Many logistics companies offer customized insurance plans to meet different business needs. These plans provide monetary compensation for lighter goods and help mitigate potential losses.

 

• Customer Service

 

Even the most efficient logistics companies face challenges, but excellent customer service is crucial for their success.

Many shipping companies now use automated customer support systems. These systems help reduce the number of service calls for different issues, ensuring smooth operations.

Conclusion

Due to the vast area of the country and severe weather conditions, Canada logistics companies face major challenges for logistics operations. However, proactive strategies such as emergency planning, technological investment and diversification of transportation modes can mitigate these hurdles and ensure efficient supply chain management. By embracing innovation and sustainability businesses can not only overcome logistical hurdles but also thrive in the dynamic Canadian market, delivering goods reliably while minimizing environmental impact.

FAQs

Which cities in Canada are best for logistics?

Determining the best city in Canada for logistics depends on various factors such as proximity to major transportation routes (airports, seaports, highways, and railways), availability of warehousing facilities, and access to skilled labor, business-friendly environment, and overall infrastructure.

However, some cities stand out in terms of their logistical advantages:

Toronto

The Greater Toronto Area (GTA) is a big deal for getting stuff from place to place in Canada. It's located in a really good spot, where a bunch of important highways and railways all come together.

Vancouver

Situated on the west coast, Vancouver boasts Canada's largest port by tonnage and handles significant trade with Asia-Pacific countries. It serves as a crucial gateway for goods entering and leaving North America.

Montreal

 Montreal is strategically located along the St. Lawrence River, providing access to the Atlantic Ocean. It has the Port of Montreal, one of the largest inland ports in the world and is a major rail hub. Montreal also benefits from a skilled workforce and a diverse economy.

Calgary

Calgary's central location within Western Canada makes it a key logistics hub for the region. It has a strong transportation network including the Calgary International Airport and access to major highways and rail lines.

Is logistics in demand in Canada?

Yes, Canada's growing economy, e-commerce growth, and labor shortage are driving high demand for logistics professionals. With new technologies emerging this field offers exciting opportunities for skilled individuals.

How big is the logistics industry in Canada?

The size of the freight and logistics market in Canada is expected to be around USD 106.37 billion in 2024. By 2029, it is estimated to grow to approximately USD 133.55 billion. This growth represents a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.66% during the forecast period from 2024 to 2029.

Which Company is Best For Shipping in Canada?

Choosing the best shipping company in Canada depends on your specific needs and preferences. For international and large-volume shipments, global carriers like FedEx, UPS, DHL, and others are reliable options.

On the other hand, for domestic or drop shipping with smaller volumes, Canada Post, DB Schenker Canada, DTDC and others offer budget-friendly services. It's essential to consider factors like shipping requirements, budget, and the level of service needed. Additionally, choosing for multi-carrier shipping can provide flexibility and ensure reliability.