Toronto is one of the biggest distribution hubs in North America.
Every day, thousands of trucks leave warehouses in Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan, Markham, Scarborough, etc… Delivering products across the GTA.
Yet many distributors still struggle with last-mile delivery operations.
Not because trucks cannot reach customers. But because the logistics process behind deliveries has become incredibly complex.
Most distributors today operate in a hybrid environment.
Deliveries may involve their own fleet, regional carriers, specialized transport companies, cross-dock hubs and multiple warehouses. And suddenly a simple delivery becomes a chain of events.
Sales order, Warehouse preparation, Dispatch, Route planning, Delivery, Proof of delivery… Every step needs coordination.
But in many companies, the tools have not evolved.
Dispatch is still managed with spreadsheets, emails, phone calls, whiteboards…
Customer service often needs to ask:
“Where is the driver?”
And someone has to call the driver to find out.
Customers today expect something different.
They expect the same experience they get from courier companies.
They want to know when the delivery will arrive, when the truck is on the way, when it has been delivered and access to proof of delivery.
Without this visibility, frustration grows quickly.
The reality is simple.
ERP systems manage orders.
But they rarely manage delivery operations.
That is why many distributors are now implementing systems dedicated to Routing, Dispatch, Tracking, Proof of delivery, Fleet and carrier coordination.
In the coming years, the distributors that will win in markets like Toronto will not necessarily be the ones with the most trucks.
They will be the ones with the best visibility and control over their logistics operations.
Because in distribution, service is often the real competitive advantage.
If you’re managing logistics for a manufacturer or distributor in the GTA:
What is the most difficult part of last-mile delivery in your operation today?
Download our guide “Transforming Last-mile Delivery for Shippers” here.
