Logistics – Richmond Economic Development

Richmond is a major West Coast hub for intermodal transportation and distribution and has a significant logistics sector. It is home to Canada’s second largest airport, Vancouver International Airport (YVR), and a 700-acre transloading facility offering direct access to Canada’s busiest deep-sea port, the Port of Vancouver.

Over 500 freight, logistics and cargo companies, including UPS, Fedex, Purolator, Canada Post and DHL, provide the capacity to efficiently distribute goods within the region and between Canada’s major trading partners. These capabilities also ensure Richmond continues to strengthen its position as the gateway to Asia Pacific markets. Greater Vancouver Gateway 2030 is a strategic partnership between government and industry that is advancing priority infrastructure projects to support growing trade. Further supporting this sector’s expansion are several Provincial and Federal government programs geared towards increasing the export capacity of local businesses into key foreign markets.

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What’s New

B.C.-based carrier orders electric aircraft

From arrival to delivery to storage, this Richmond company covers every facet of business logistics

YVR and BCIT sign MOU to collaborate on innovative applied research projects

Investing in innovation and technology to support trade growth and strengthen supply chains at the Port of Vancouver

YVR tops S&P’s latest ratings for Canadian airports

YVR and Native Education College join hands in a historic partnership to advance Indigenous education and reconciliation

Company Profiles

	Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is Canada’s second busiest airport and in 2019 served a record 26.4 million passengers and handled more than 300,000 tonnes of air cargo. Over 23,000 people are employed in airport-related jobs on Sea Island. YVR has more than 70 freight forwarders on site, with average shipment release times of fewer than 45 minutes. A $1.7 billion improvement plan is underway and new airlines continue to be announced – YVR currently provides the highest number of non-stop flights to China than any other North American airport. In 2022, YVR was awarded with an Honourable Mention for Outstanding Sustainability Program by Airports Going Green; and was awarded Excellence in Industry Innovation at the Technology Impact Awards
	The Port of Vancouver is Canada’s largest and busiest port, and also the most diversified in North America. It operates across five business sectors: automobiles, breakbulk, bulk, container and cruise. The Port facilitates trade with more than 170 world economies, and handles over 140 million tonnes of cargo each year. The Port provides over 5700 jobs of direct employment in Richmond and owns the Richmond Properties – a 694-acre intermodal riverfront site, which is home to thriving domestic and international marine, logistics and transportation industries.
	Canada Post opened a brand new 700,000 sq. ft. Pacific Processing Centre at the Vancouver International Airport in 2014. This was part of Canada Post’s $2 billion, multi-year modernization program to ensure the company remains competitive in a changing global marketplace. Another move by the Crown Corporation to remain innovative was to purchase 97% ownership shares in Purolator, providing greater integration of corporate delivery services.
	Coast 2000 Terminals Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Western Group, is the leading third party logistics service provider to the pulp and paper industry and international steamship line community. Coast 2000 provides intermodal service, integrating the road, rail and barge networks with ocean containers. The Richmond facility comprises a 30 acre container storage yard adjacent a 260,000 export stuffing facility that is strategically positioned equidistant from all deep water container terminals in Metro Vancouver.
	Purolator Courier Ltd. is Canada’s largest overnight courier company. In 2007, Purolator opened its new 106,000 square foot Global Supply Chain (GSC) Services port facility in Richmond, a short distance from its existing air/ground distribution centre at Vancouver International Airport. The GSC facility primarily serves medium-sized companies importing goods from Asia, offering direct to store logistics and inventory reduction.
	London Drugs is one of Canada’s leading pharmacy chains selling general merchandise and computer and home entertainment equipment in addition to traditional drugstore products. In addition to its head office, it has a 419,000 square foot centralized distribution centre in Richmond, handling approximately 25,000 SKUs at any given time and over 100 million pounds of freight annually, shipping to stores across Western Canada. It has over 400 employees based in Richmond.
	CDS Group of Companies delivers storage and distribution services to the food industry, integrated with its cross-border and international freight, customs clearance and intermodal services. CDS has a 225,000 square-foot, CFIA, HACCP and FDA registered facility which provides dry, refrigerated and frozen storage with remote digital temperature monitoring.
	Container World, and its transport subsidiary Commercial Logistics, provides inventory management, freight forwarding, warehousing and distribution services, specializing in the alcoholic beverage and hospitality industries. It has a 486,000 square foot facility for its head office and distribution centre, with over 100 truck docks in the Port or Vancouver’s Richmond Properties. An in-house development team manages real-time customer online access and develops custom EDI and tailored software solutions for clients.
	Simard Westlink Inc. has been a leader in the Canadian transportation, warehousing and logistics industry for over 60 years. With over 150 employees, a fleet of 75 and 2 Richmond facilities totaling almost 200,000 square feet. The company offers road transport, railroad facilities and warehousing & distribution solutions between all major maritime, airport and railway terminals in Canada.
	DB Schenker of Canada Ltd. is one of the largest integrated logistics service providers in Canada, with operations at 40 sites across the country and over 3 million square feet of warehouse space. Schenker has an office at Vancouver International Airport’s “Cargo Village” as well as a distribution and logistics centre in east Richmond.
	Euro Asia Transload Inc. was established in 1995 and is privately held. It operates three facilities consisting of 850,000 square feet of new warehouse space serviced by CN Rail and truck. Services include inbound rail transloading and stuffing of export commodities (pulp, paper, metals, pipe, plywood, etc.) from the interior of BC for transport to Vancouver port facilities via trucks for shipment overseas. Each month the company loads over 6000 containers for export.
	Ingram Micro, a Fortune 100 company, is the world’s largest technology distributor and a leading technology sales, marketing and logistics company for the IT industry worldwide. Their Richmond facility employs over 100 people and undertakes technological product aggregation and distribution.
	Reagle Terminals and Tri-R Transport provide rail, truck, container, barge and warehouse transload service to freight forwarders, cargo owners and others importing or exporting product through the ports of Metro Vancouver, and beyond. Reagle and Tri-R have been operating for 45 years, located on the south arm of the Fraser River in Richmond. They have a CN rail spur, Fraser River barge dock and 45,000 sq ft. warehouse and yard space.

Search our Business Directory for a complete listing of all Logistics companies in Richmond.

Workforce

Two-thirds of B.C. jobs in the Transportation & Warehousing sector are in the Lower Mainland. Careers range from truck drivers and letter carriers to dispatchers, heavy duty mechanics and logistics engineers. Other related occupations include airport and port operators, material handlers, airport ramp attendants, longshore workers and administrative positions. Work BC provides an overview of employment trends in this growing sector, as well as a job search tool for job seekers. Local training and education programs to support this industry are listed below.

Research

Incentives

To search a database of grants, loans or financing programs relating to green industries, available from all levels of government, visit The Funding Portal. Some of the programs most beneficial to this sector are outlined below.

Duty Deferral Program (DDP) is administered by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and can postpone or refund duties and taxes you would otherwise have to pay on goods you import.

Export Distribution Centre Program (EDCP) is administered by the Canada Revenue Agency and relieves participants of the obligation to pay GST/HST on imports of goods or domestic purchase of goods over $1000 used for limited value processing.

Exporters of Processing Services (EOPS)The EOPS Program is administered by the CRA and relieves participants of obligation to pay GST/HST on imports of goods from non-residents for processing (not only intended for limited value processing) and subsequent export.

Trade and Invest British Columbia is a Provincial government resource, providing assistance to companies who wish to develop or grow trade relationships outside of B.C. Services include market intelligence, in-market representatives, and a free online supplier database.

Export Development Canada provides Canadian exporters with financing, insurance and bonding services as well as foreign market expertise.

Canadian Trade Commissioner Service provides expert advice and problem-solving skills for businesses exporting, investing or partnering abroad. Funding is also available for certain international trade activities.

Trade Accelerator Program is a partnership between the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, EDC and the Province of BC that provides companies with access to Canada’s top exporting advisors, resources and contacts they need to become successful international traders.

Use our Funding Portal to search a database of all grants, loans and financing available to Logistics companies.

Industry Networks

Featured Industry Partner:
Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters

From the first industrial boom in Canada, Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) has been advocating for and representing member interests for 150 years.

Industry associations and other business organizations representing companies in this sector are listed below. Additional national contacts relating to supply chain, global logistics, transport, freight forwarding, customs brokerage, warehousing and third-party logistics are available through Industry Canada.

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