Purolator International

{{coi}} {{advert}} {{wikify}} {{notability}}

Purolator USA is a U.S.-based freight forwarder that specializes in cross border services between the United States and Canada. Headquartered in Jericho, NY, Purolator USA is the wholly-owned subsidiary of Purolator Courier Ltd., the largest overnight courier company in Canada.

History

Purolator began its U.S. operations in 1947, when Purolator Courier, Inc. was incorporated in the state of New York. In 1967, Purolator Courier Ltd. was established as a subsidiary of Purolator Courier, Inc. Purolator Courier Ltd. would later become a stand alone Canadian entity.

In 1987, Purolator Courier, Inc. was acquired by Wilton, CT-based Emery Worldwide. In 1989, Emery was acquired by Consolidated Freightways, Inc. which gained U.S.-rights to the Purolator name. Purolator Courier Ltd. reclaimed rights to the Purolator name in 1996.

In 1994, a marketing alliance was formed between Purolator Courier Ltd. and Canada Post. That venture was called Canadian Distribution Services (CDS). Canadian Distribution Services was later renamed Purolator Courier, US, Ltd. In 1998, Purolator Courier, US was incorporated in the United States. John T. Costanzo was named president of Purolator Courier US, Ltd. in 2001, and in 2004, the company legally changed its name to Purolator USA, Inc.

Offices

Purolator USA opened a headquarters facility in Jericho, NY in 2005. The company still maintains its headquarters in that location, located at 2 Jericho Plaza, Jericho, NY 11753.

Purolator maintains several full-service processing centers across the U.S., including:

• Farmingdale, NY: Opened in 2009 to service businesses located in the New York-metro area.
• Grapevine, TX: Opened in 2008 to service businesses in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana
• King of Prussia, PA: Opened in 2008 to service businesses in southern and central New Jersey, Maryland and Delaware
• Morrisville, NC: Opened in 2008 to service businesses located in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi and Florida.
• Buffalo, NY: Opened in 2008 to service businesses located in upstate New York.
• Los Angeles, CA: Opened in 2007 to service businesses shipping to Canada from southern California, Arizona and Nevada.
• Seattle, WA:
• Detroit, MI:
• Chicago, IL:

Business Developments

Purolator surpassed the $100 million in sales figure in 2008. In 2009, the company introduced its “Beacon Client Portal,” a web-based shipping, tracking, reporting and billing application. Also in that year, Purolator’s Chicago and Farmingdale processing facilities were certified by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for participation in its Certified Cargo Screening Program (CCSP).

In 2010, the company launched Purolator Express™ an overnight and second –day delivery service for shipments to Canada. Currently Purolator Express™ is only available to businesses located in the New York-metro area.

Community Involvement

Purolator USA employess have been strong supporters of the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life fundraising initiative. In 2008, Purolator USA announced that it had become a Relay for Life corporate sponsor. In 2009, the company began its participation in the United Way of America's nationwide fundraising campaign, which involves voluntary support from employees.

Environmental Awareness

Purolator USA and Purolator Courier Ltd. maintain a combined fleet of more than 4,000 owned-or-contracted delivery vehicles throughout the United States and Canada. The companies have taken several steps to minimize their environmental impact.

Through its “Greening of the Fleet” initiative, first developed in 2000, Purolator Courier Ltd. committed to finding ways to reduce environmental impact, and to explore alternative sources of energy as a way to reduce overall emissions and operating costs.

“Greening the Fleet” initiatives include

• Integration of hybrid vehicles into delivery fleet
• Development of new technology for battery-operated vehicle
• No-idling policy that requires engines be turned off during stops
• Route Optimization to ensure efficiency of all delivery routes and eliminates unneeded or redundant routes.

Recognition for Purolator’s Environmental Leadership

• 2009 Environmental Leadership Award
• 2006 Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment Pollution Prevention Award
• 2004 Award of Excellence in Environmental Initiatives – Ontario Trucking Association

Integration of Green Technology:

• Hybrid Technology: To date more than 200 hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) have been integrated into Purolator’s fleet, with an additional 200 expected by the end of 2010. Each HEV provides a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, and a 30-35 percent savings on fossil fuel burns. The company plans to integrate up to 2,000 HEVs into its fleet over the next several years.

• Electric Vehicle Prototype: Purolator is currently testing a battery-operated electric delivery vehicle, known as the “Quicksider.” The vehicle, which reduces up to 85 percent of greenhouse gases and smog-causing emissions, was tested on the city streets of Toronto. The Quicksider is planned for use in urban settings, where delivery vehicles make numerous stops throughout the day.

• Delivery route efficiencies: Every year the company undertakes a “route optimization” process to ensure that routes are as streamlined and efficient as possible, and to reveal any redundant or unnecessary routes. The optimization system, first initiated in 2000, has generated a 10 to 15 percent reduction in the company’s overall number of routes.

• No-idling policy: In 2001 a “no-idling” policy was implemented, which mandates that trucks be turned off during stops.

Management Team

John T. CostanzoJohn T. Costanzo President

Conal E. Finnegan Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and Business Development

John J. Sweeney Vice President of Field Sales and Service Quality