Location-routing models and methods for improving the operations of an express package delivery company

Purolator is Canada’s leader in express package delivery services, with $1.6 billion revenues (2013), 12,000 employees, 125 shipping centres and 170 processing facilities nationwide. The company has to improve its operations on a continuous basis in order to satisfy its customers, while maintaining its efficiency in the face of ever-growing challenges such as fierce competition, environmental concerns and the expansion of ecommerce services. Purolator is particularly interested in the analysis of alternative ways to perform its operations that would reduce its costs, while improving its quality of service. The general objective of the research project is to develop location-routing models and solution methods to address the issues faced by Purolator. Three interns will be trained, including two Masters’ students and one post-doctoral student. The Montreal area is targeted for this study. The benefits for Purolator are important, as the project will provide the company with methods and analyses that will contribute to improve its efficiency.

Faculty Supervisor:

Bernard Gendron

Student:

Partner:

Purolator Inc (QC)

Discipline:

Computer science

Sector:

Transportation and warehousing

University:

Université de Montréal

Program: