Evolution Fulfillment helps brands from all over the world get onto the shelves of Walmart, Costco, Hudson Bay, Macy’s, Nordstrom’s and even ecommerce giant Amazon. But what the owners and staff care most about is helping the local Ladner and Delta communities
Back in 2010, Ladner residents Ben Martin and Gwen Harrison detected a shift in the fulfillment industry: distributors were taking a step back. The result meant fewer options for brands to get their products into stores and to consumers. Armed with this insight, and with just 2 customers and a 2000 sq. ft warehouse, they founded Evolution Fulfillment. 10 years later, they provide local employment to 65 people and operate six warehouses totalling 100,000 sq. ft.
“Basically our customers just have to send the product to us and we take care of everything else [related to fulfillment] for them” said Mr. Martin, President, “This allows them to really focus on production, design, marketing; the things that they’re really good at.”
What the founders of Evolution Fulfillment find most rewarding, however, is making their part of the world a little bit better than they found it. This starts close to home with the company’s relationship with the employees who ultimately are driving its growth.
“When we created [Evolution Fulfillment], we created a set of fundamental pillars that the company was built upon and one of those things was relationships” said Ms. Harrison, “Building good relationships with our customers and our employees is baked right into the DNA of our company.”
“One of the most important things for me is creating a culture where people love coming to work every day” said Mr. Martin, “We like to celebrate the people that are here. Some of our staff have really taken on some really big goals in life like running marathons for the first time or singing the national anthem for the Vancouver Canucks or taking on their own small businesses. And as a company, we’ve found ways to really support their growth and to be a part of it as a team.”
Besides helping brands grow their business and employees grow personally, the company is very active in local charity work throughout BC. Close to the heart are causes that uplift the lives of kids, families and those who are less fortunate. Here are some highlights of the company’s philanthropic initiatives:
- Evolution Fulfillment teamed up with fashion brand Molly Bracken and Richmond businesses Bayview Dental Centre and Grace Health to help the victims of the 2017 Ashcroft wildfire. Hygienic products, such as toothbrushes, were gathered and shipped to the Ashcroft River Inn; which opened its doors to residents fleeing the fires.
- With a bold vision to ‘eradicate poverty in Nunavut’, Evolution Fulfillment teamed up with community group Helping Our Northern Neighbours. Together, they raised supplies in 2017 to help Nunavut families in need, where – due to high shipping rates – a basket of goods costs an estimated 241% more than for a family living in B.C.
- Evolution Fulfillment has teamed up on numerous occasions with The Shoe Bank, whose mission is to ensure that every Canadian has access to a decent pair of shoes. The result has been tens of thousands of dollars raised through very creative ways. For instance, a fundraiser called My Canvas Has Laces was organized in which artists painted on blank sneakers that were then auctioned off. Shoes and clothing have also been provided directly to residents of the Downtown Eastside.
- Back in 2015, the company started “Edible Homework“;’ a series of videos aimed at teaching families and “latchkey kids” how to cook healthy meals for under $3.
- Regular drives are held in support of Family Services of Greater Vancouver to help put presents under trees during Christmas and food in the pantry during Thanksgiving. The company also supports the Deltassist Family and Community Services Society; a non-profit dedicated to the well-being of the people of Delta, BC. Staff have also run “Bags for Kids”, an initiative to provide school backpacks and school supplies for Ladner and Tsawwassen families, and “Wigs for Kids”, in which staff members have cut their hair in order to donate to children undergoing cancer treatment.
“We want people in our community to know that we exist to help in every sense of the word” said Ben Martin, “Good fulfillment, good jobs or simply good deeds”.
About Evolution Fulfillment
Evolution Fulfillment is a Canadian third party logistics (3PL) company with a main warehouse located in Delta, a city near Vancouver, BC, Canada. Evolution offers pick and pack order fulfillment services for fashion, apparel, cosmetic and jewelry brands that target the North American customer. Evolution pioneered the Brand Fulfillment Model; an alternative to the traditional distribution model that keeps control – and margins – in the brand’s hands.
Locally owned businesses in Ladner, Delta and Tsawwassen are invited to try the company’s new local courier service called Ape Ship and hard workers looking for a supportive place to work are invited to apply for a job at Evolution Fulfillment.
If you’re interested in learning more about our 3PL services in Canada and in the US, visit our website at www.evolvewithus.ca.
