MONTREAL, Que. — Imperial Tobacco Canada has realigned its supply chain management and partnered with Ryder System to offer direct-to-store delivery of its products to retailers across Canada.

Imperial’s supply chain transformation was first announced in May and is expected to create close to 1,000 new jobs for Canadians through direct positions at Imperial and through the company’s association with transportation, information technology and warehousing partners.

“We selected Ryder to help us design and implement our direct-to-store delivery initiative based on their strategic planning capabilities, supply chain management expertise and strong operational insight into driving efficiencies throughout our supply chain,” said Benjamin J. Kemball, president and CEO of Imperial Tobacco Canada.

Beginning in 1998, Ryder has provided warehousing services for Imperial Tobacco across Canada. Ryder’s services are being significantly expanded to include complete order fulfillment and supply chain management services for Imperial Tobacco’s products, including offshore warehousing and inbound transportation management.

As part of its expanded services, Ryder will provide direct-to-store finished product delivery to more than 26,000 retail locations throughout Canada.

This “purpose-built” delivery system, the first of its kind in the Canadian tobacco industry, will employ over four hundred specially trained truck drivers and material handlers, more than two hundred customized delivery vans, and twenty-one warehouse and cross dock facilities.

“Ryder is proud to play a leading role in the design and execution of this new and innovative supply chain strategy,” stated Bobby Griffin, Ryder president of international operations. “We have developed a deep understanding of Imperial Tobacco’s customer needs over our longstanding partnership, and we’re excited about being chosen to lead their unique retail delivery transformation.”