It’s unlikely most people think of a courier service and an ape simultaneously. However, apes can move quickly covering great distances, a subtle correlation between Ape Ship Courier & Freight. Their mascot, a black hairy primate named Julius, and their tagline, “We Get Ship Done,” will bring a smile to your face. So, too, will their services.
Headquartered in Delta, Ape Ship is a local courier service established in 2020 under the umbrella of Evolution Group of Companies. Evolution Fulfilment, their cornerstone company, provides fulfilment services to advance your third-party logistics and North American distribution strategy. Local medical courier, Ape Ship, is their newest branch of business.
Community-minded, service-oriented
Deeply rooted in their local community, and the greater B.C. community, their work holds an altruistic bent. Ape Ship provides small parcel and single pallet delivery to businesses locally in Delta and across the Metro Vancouver region.
“We really take pride in being embedded in the local community and offering reliable services to people,” says Ben Martin, president and CEO of Evolution Group of Companies. “We take that commitment to the community very seriously and are much more than your typical courier company.”
With their on-time and on-budget services, Ape Ship’s courier services are a great option for locally-owned businesses and manufacturing companies.
Offering services to a wide array of local industries gives them a distinct advantage of understanding different business needs, allowing their customers to focus on their core business areas. Above all else, Ape Ship always employs critical thinking and has methods in place to resolve barriers to entry they may encounter (business closed or difficulty contacting recipient).
Martin says it’s clear there’s one industry their team is especially proud of—the work they’ve done to move communities forward.
Moving communities forward during COVID-19
Ape Ship is also the preferred carrier for personal protective equipment (PPE) to health care and long-term care facilities for Vancouver Coastal Health.
Ape Ship’s PPE delivery service consists of items such as gloves, eye protection, surgical face masks, face shields, respirators, gowns and other protective clothing.
“We understand it takes a certain level of sensitivity to make partnerships like this work in the health-care industry,” Martin says.
“Our hand-picked drivers are trained to handle PPE equipment and process PPE orders, which allows for a smooth and time-sensitive approach for all PPE deliveries. We also help onsite staff stock the shipment.”
At the onset of COVID, Ape Ship realized a lot of local courier companies weren’t equipped for the quick transition necessary. So, they filled a gap in the market and met a need to positively impact people’s lives.
“The PPE we deliver is vital equipment that a lot of British Columbians, and locally in Delta, need immediately,” says Martin. “We work around the clock as much as possible to ensure our customers are taken care of.”
Donation campaign collection
The pandemic continues to make life challenging for people, and Ape Ship relieves a portion of the heavy burden to support those most in need during these difficult times.
With the resources to provide the community assistance, especially as the holiday season draws near, part of Ape Ship’s newest donation campaign is participation in GivingTuesday, the annual global generosity movement that encourages people to do good and give back on Nov. 30, billed as the “World’s Biggest Day of Generosity.” Ape Ship will be collecting donations across Delta from Nov. 24 to 30 of gently used winter clothing, new undergarments and blankets.
“A lot of us take these items for granted, but at the end of the day, if we can put a smile on someone’s face, we know that we’re doing things right,” says Martin.
“We understand that many of our local businesses and residents have giving hearts and want to help but may not have the means or availability to drop off goods to a collection centre. That’s where we can really help make a difference for our community. We will come to your front door or to your business and collect your donation bags.”
Martin is quick to point out that 100% of the donations go directly to the people. “We will personally hand them to people in need, or partner with a non-profit for them to distribute.”
Community outreach, initiatives
Their community service-centric approach is a continuous business practice throughout the year to support local causes. Like their donation campaign to support B.C.’s wildfire relief efforts and sponsoring the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Coast BC’s Over The Edge event (raising $6,000-plus), to supporting the upcoming Ladner Business Association Christmas Tree Festival, just to name a few.
“We all have our part to play in the community and it’s just natural for us to be able to help people,” says Martin.
For more information, visit apeship.ca or call 778.5070.APE. In support of the greater community’s most vulnerable, the winter clothing, new undergarments and blanket donations will be distributed to Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside (DTES). To arrange your donation pickup, email Hamed Amiri at [email protected] by Nov. 22, the cut-off for collections.
