The purpose of this area of our Web Site is to provide some basic guidance and points to consider when identifying and selecting a courier company to use.

1. Determine Your Overall Logistics Goals

Equipped with a clear understanding of your company’s overall corporate goals and objectives, you should start by considering your overall supply chain, or logistics strategy.

In particular, what goals do you want to achieve?

2. Decide How Courier Services Will Fit Into Your Overall Supply Chain Strategy

Once you understand your overall supply chain goals, you can then begin to formulate how courier and logistics services will support your success.

Courier services are best suited to situations where:

·         Speed Of Delivery Is Important

·         Average Order Size Is Small

·         Average Value Of Order Is (Relatively) High

·         Information Requirements Are High

·         Door To Door Delivery Is Required

·         Risk Associated With Non Delivery Is High

·         Docking Facilities/Equipment For Large Vehicles Are Not Available

·         Creating A Premium Image Is Important

3. Identify Your Specific Courier Needs

Before contacting any actual courier companies, it is best to formulate a clear understanding in your own mind of what specific capabilities you require from the suppliers you will use.  These are also sometimes referred to as Key Buying Criteria.

Examples of typical criteria used include:

·         Delivery Reliability

·         Geographic Coverage

·         Features Of Service

·         Delivery Speed

·         Range Of Services

·         Competitive Price

·         Tracking/Shipment Visibility

·         Flexibility

·         Package Handling Care

·         Value Added Service Options

4. Identify Possible Companies

Now that you understand your needs and the elements you will use to evaluate the courier or couriers that will allow you to achieve your objectives, the next task becomes creating an actual list of companies to speak with.

There are a number of options available to identify courier companies operating in Canada including the Yellow Pages, Transportation Service Directories (online and hard copy), Association Buyers Guides and of course, word of mouth (via referrals you may receive from friends or colleagues).

The Find A Courier section of this Web Site has been designed specifically for shippers to quickly and easily identify a number of courier companies operating in various markets across Canada.

This resource goes beyond a simple list of company names, and also includes features such as services offered, delivery area and pickup area.  In some cases we also have descriptions of companies and links to their Web Sites.

One of the particularly unique features of the CCLA listing is the ability it provides to identify companies that belong to the Canadian Courier & Logistics Association.

As is the case in any industry sector, many courier companies exist in Canada, and not all operate to the same levels and standards.  When you do business with a CCLA member, you gain the peace of mind of knowing that the company is committed to supporting the long-term success of the industry, and operates by the standards and practices espoused by us.

All of this means one thing for shippers; less risk.

As an example, did you know that if you deal with a courier company that doesn’t have a viable workers compensation insurance program in place and an employee of that company (perhaps, a driver) is injured while making a delivery to your location that you (as the shipper) could be held liable for damages?

Dealing with a CCLA members will provide your company with several meaningful and tangible benefits.

Go To Find A Courier

6. Compare Your Needs With Courier Company Capabilities

Once you’ve identified a list of possible companies that you believe can meet your needs, the next step is to meet with one of their representatives.

The length of time this process will take will be a direct reflection of the specific needs your company has.

It is always better for all parties concerned to take as much time as required to ensure you make the best decision possible.

7. Make Your Selection

Establishing a relationship with a courier company or companies is only the first step in the process of ensuring ongoing success.