MISSISSAUGA, Ontario (Feb. 7) — Bridgestone Firestone Canada Inc. is closing distribution centers in Ontario and British Columbia and instead will service dealers in those areas starting in March from warehouses in the U.S.
By consolidating its Canadian distribution system, BFS is promising customers improved service and fill-rates. In some cases, the company said, delivery times may be halved.
"We are always looking for ways to improve the efficiency of our distribution system in order to deliver real value to our customers," said Bob Galway, director, finance for the Canadian company. The two distribution centers, in Langley, British Columbia, and Mississauga, Ontario, have five and 32 employees, respectively.
Dealers serviced out of Langley will be handled by a BFS warehouse in Portland, Ore., while the Mississauga center´s business will be transferred either to BFS´s Chicago, Ill., or Allentown, Pa., distribution centers.
The Canadian facilities will be closed on a phased basis between April and June as BFS migrates its channels of distribution to other routes.