Bridgestone Firestone Canada Inc. (BFCA) is closing its two Canadian tire distribution centers, one in Langley, British Columbia, and the other in Mississauga, Ontario.
“We are always looking for ways to improve the efficiency of our distribution system in order to deliver real value to our customers,” says Bob Galway, director, finance, BFCA. “This type of announcement is never easy to make, especially for teammates. But we feel it is the best one for our customers and our business.”
The Langley distribution center’s business will now be handled by the company's Portland, Ore., center, while the Mississauga center’s business will be transferred to the Chicago, Ill., or Allentown, Pa., distribution centers. Customer shipments from these locations will start in March 2006.
The Canadian facilities will be closed on a phased basis between April and June as Bridgestone Firestone migrates its channels of distribution to other routes.
The company says that by consolidating its Canadian distribution system, customers will experience improved service and fill-rates when ordering tires. Delivery time for some shipments may be cut by half the current standard, the company noted, and customers should not experience any disruptions in service.
The Langley distribution center has five employees, and the Mississauga center employs 32 teammates.
