Canadian ATV enthusiasts were pleased when this Indiana-based parts manufacturer entered the Canadian market, making available a wide range of parts and accessories for use on vehicles sold by leading manufacturers. But that enthusiasm soon turned to dismay, as higher than expected shipping costs – and exorbitant brokerage fees – forced the company to rethink its Canadian strategy.

If you’re in the business of designing and selling products specifically meant for deer hunters, then it’s probably smart to focus on improving sales in regions well… where deer hunters live. That’s the reasonable strategy arrived at by one Wisconsin-based producer of clothing, gifts and gear targeted at deer hunters and their families. The family-owned company has been in business for the last 15 years, and has had great success building its brand throughout the United States.

For a customer waiting to take delivery of a new, customized electric wheelchair, every day can be an eternity. The new chair promises users greater comfort, increased mobility, and an enhanced quality of life. It’s understandable then, that once a customer has made the investment in a customized chair, there is a high expectation for an on-time delivery, with zero tolerance for delays or damage.

When a motor coach has to be pulled off the road because it needs a new part, those days of lost service can have a significant impact on a business’s bottom line. Whether that business is a tour operator, a charter company, a municipality or any type of public or private entity that needs to transport people, a disabled coach is of no use. Compounding the problem is the relative scarcity of spare parts distributors. When a car breaks down, a repair shop can find a replacement part with relative ease. But when a motor coach breaks down, finding the right part isn’t nearly as easy.

When a Tennessee-based manufacturer of industrial-grade tools and equipment decided to close its Canadian distribution center (DC), it thought it had a workable solution in place to ensure adequate inventory levels to meet the needs of its growing customer base. However, the manufacturer soon learned that it had misjudged the volume of inventory that would be needed. Rather than reestablish the DC, the company turned to Purolator for help in finding a solution.

Consumers around the world likely have one or two products in their kitchen drawers from this international manufacturer of innovative devices. From corkscrews and wine sealers to strawberry hullers and garlic presses, the company is known for its highly creative, sleek-looking devices that make life simpler for today’s consumer. The company is based in the Netherlands, and that is where most products are manufactured. The company now offers its products in more than 80 countries.

An Ohio-based lawn and garden equipment retailer found a receptive market for its products in the Canadian market, and soon had a growing list of orders from several B2B customers. The retailer had customers located all across Canada, and put a high priority on customer service and on-time deliveries. As far as the retailer was concerned, its Canada-bound logistics solution was functioning smoothly: Products were being delivered on time, border clearance issues were relatively minor, and customers seemed generally pleased. So no reason to upset the apple cart by switching logistics providers, right?

Even though sales to Canada account for just a small percentage of overall revenue for this New York-based manufacturer of material handling products, the company realized the importance of serving its Canadian B2B customers well. The company is recognized worldwide for developing innovative, high quality products including electric chains and wire ropes, crane components and lever hoists. The company is very focused on finding “solutions” for customers’ industrial manufacturing and construction needs, and this focus extends to its exceedingly high standards for logistics and transportation expertise.

Safe and innovative baby products know no international borders, so when one leading Pennsylvania-based manufacturer of cutting-edge strollers and other baby gear set its sights on an expansion to Canada, a ready market was waiting. Canadian parents and caregivers seemed well aware of the company’s award-winning designs, as well as its stringent manufacturing standards and commitment to quality. The company negotiated contracts with Canadian divisions of several top U.S. retailers, along with several leading Canadian specialty stores.

While most U.S. businesses expect that expanding to the Canadian market will include at least some degree of frustration with border clearance processes, one Pennsylvania-based guitar manufacturer was not prepared for either the scope of problems it encountered, or the difficulty in trying to resolve them.

Canadian consumers have a seemingly insatiable appetite for all things related to outdoor recreation. And when it comes to purchasing gear for hunting, fishing, camping and other excursions, few shoppers are savvier. It seemed obvious, then, for a leading U.S. retailer of quality outdoor gear to expand to the Canadian market. And while the retailer has made inroads in establishing a physical presence in Canada, the country’s geographic enormity makes it difficult to reach all consumers.

A top-U.S. retailer of computer hardware and software decided the time was right to expand online capability to the Canadian market. But rather than be perceived as “another U.S. company doing business in Canada,” this retailer had a vision in mind to become an integral part of the Canadian domestic retail scene.

Entering the Canadian eCommerce market was a logical step for a New York-based photography/electronics retailer. The popular merchandiser had already established a firm footing in U.S. eCommerce channels, targeting both B2B and B2C sales. And with online sales experiencing record growth north of the border, the time seemed ripe for the retailer to set its sights on Canada.