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Couriers and local messengers industry
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The couriers and local messengers industry generated operating revenue of $7.8 billion in 2006, up 5% from 2005. Operating expenses also rose, but at a lower rate than revenue, which resulted in a 10% rise in operating profit. The operating ratio (operating expenses divided by operating revenues) improved slightly from 0.92 to 0.91.
Couriers, which offer national and international delivery services, remained the principal segment of the industry. It was dominated by a small number of large, multi-establishment companies, some of which were subsidiaries of multinationals or integrated Canadian trucking companies.
The 1,580 courier establishments accounted for total operating revenue of $6.4 billion in 2006, 7% higher than 2005. However, average revenue per establishment fell from $4.2 million to $4.1 million as a result of an increase in the number of establishments. Similarly, average operating profit per establishment fell 4% despite an overall increase of 8%. The operating ratio remained unchanged at 0.93.
Local messengers offer delivery services within a more restricted geographic area, such as a city, and consist primarily of self-employed workers and small, independent contractors. The 18,500 establishments reported $1.4 billion in operating revenue in 2006, down 3% from 2005 following a 5% drop the year before. However, operating expenses decreased by 6% in 2006, enabling these businesses to improve operating profit by 14% in total and 12% on average. As a result, the operating ratio improved from 0.87 to 0.85, its best level since 2001.
Available on CANSIM: tables 402-0001 to 402-0003.
Definitions, data sources and methods: survey number 4703.
The publication Service Bulletin: Surface and Marine Transport, Vol. 24, no. 2 (50-002-XWE, free) is now available from the Publications module of our website. The bulletin presents a wide range of financial and operating data on the couriers and local messengers industry.
For more information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact Client Services (toll-free 1-866-500-8400; fax: 613-951-0009; transportationstatistics@statcan.gc.ca), Transportation Division.
