Connecting the World to Canada

Post & Parcel spoke with Nicholas Timmins, CEO of FB Canada Express, about leading one of Canada’s top cross‑border logistics companies. In this conversation, he talks about his approach to leadership, the company’s trademark flexibility, plans for growth in markets like China and India, and how technology and partnerships are strengthening Canada’s position as a gateway for global trade.For 40 years, FB Canada Express has been on a mission to make moving goods into Canada simple, fast, and reliable – connecting global businesses to Canadian customers with the right mix of expertise, technology, and flexibility. Under Timmins’ leadership, the company is building on its reputation while investing in the tools, strategies and partnerships needed for the future.You stepped into the CEO role at FB Canada Express after many years with the company. How has the transition been, and what vision are you bringing to this next chapter?The transition has been purposeful and focused. After eight years as CFO, I came into the CEO role with a deep understanding of our operations, our people, and the trust we’ve built with clients and partners. For me, the shift has been about taking a wider view – thinking beyond what we deliver today to how we prepare and position FB Canada to lead in the next decade.My priorities are clear: sharpen our operational agility, invest in automation and technology that genuinely improve results, and grow in key markets like China, India, and Vietnam. Just as important is protecting the team, culture and relationships that have made us a trusted gateway for postal companies and businesses moving goods into Canada for 40 years.Why is Canada an important market for postal companies, freight forwarders, and e-commerce?Canada is one of the world’s largest economies, with strong consumer buying power and consistently high import volumes. For global postal operators, freight forwarders, and e‑commerce sellers, that translates into steady demand for international goods.In a world where trade routes are shifting and disruptions can happen overnight; Canada offers stability and opportunity. It’s a market that helps businesses spread risk, reach new customers, and tap into a proven appetite for imported products – making it a smart, strategic choice for shippers looking to grow. Could you describe the company’s approach to handling different kinds of cross-border shipments and clearance?We look at every cross-border shipment with three priorities in mind: compliance, speed, and flexibility. Whether it’s e-commerce parcels, time-critical freight, or complex commercial cargo, each has its own requirements.Our team works closely with the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) and other government agencies to keep shipments moving smoothly. That collaboration helps us clear goods faster, reduce delays, and make sure every process is tailored to the specific commodity, origin, and needs of both the client and consignee. FB Canada Express has been operating for 40 years. How has it changed over time, and where do you see it going in the next five years under your leadership?Over the past 40 years, FB Canada has grown from a trusted national provider into a recognised leader in Canadian cross-border logistics, expanding in customs clearance, time-critical freight, and e-commerce clearance and delivery. Under my leadership, we will continue building on that foundation – driving customer success by ensuring both our clients and their customers win, strengthening collaboration across teams and locations, and maintaining the integrity that defines our work.We’ll continue to invest in automation and AI where they create measurable client value, expand in emerging and high‑growth trade lanes. The goal is to stay agile, scalable, and focused on our clients so we’re ready for whatever the global supply chain brings next. Your team is investing in new technology for customs clearance and looking to deepen your reach in markets like China and India. How do these priorities fit into your broader strategy?Absolutely. Modernising our clearance process is a key part of our growth strategy. By making it faster, more accurate, and less manual for clients, consignees, and our own teams, we can seamlessly connect global supply chains into Canada without delays or added complexity. This means applying technology to simplify documentation, reduce errors, and shorten turnaround times.In most cases, we start with a test shipment so clients can experience the FB difference firsthand – seeing how our API integrations, clearance expertise, and network connections work together to move goods into Canada efficiently and cost‑effectively.When it comes to our broader strategy, China remains one of our strongest and most reliable trade lanes, and we expect it to continue growing. India is another high‑growth market with a rapidly expanding e‑commerce sector and unique logistical challenges we have experience with. For example, commercial cargo shipments from India often contain goods such as spices, sweets, and bulky sarees that require extra clearance steps. Our flexibility allows us to tailor clearance processes for these high‑touch shipments, giving clients a competitive edge in reaching Canadian consumers.How do you see AI shaping the future of logistics, and what role will it play in your company’s strategy?AI will play an important role in our business, but our competitive edge will also continue to come from the expertise of our team, the strong relationships we maintain with CBSA and other cross-border partners, and the trust we’ve built across the industry.Today, we’re using AI for internal ops, and to facilitate the customs clearance type based on description and value. This connects directly to our focus on making the clearance process smoother and faster for clients.Over the next 12–24 months, we see AI improving four areas in particular: (1) smarter ETA and route planning across our Canadian network; (2) demand and capacity forecasting with our clients so we can balance linehaul, sortation and final‑mile partners more efficiently; (3) improved classification support – suggesting HS codes and required OGD data for accuracy and compliance; and (4) client‑facing assistants that help schedule deliveries or resolve exceptions faster. What would you say are the biggest challenges the company is facing right now?Last peak season, Canada Post, which serves the entire country, went on strike. It was one of those moments you feel right away across the industry. That kind of disruption changes how goods move across Canada almost overnight. We saw shippers looking for more responsive logistics partners, and we moved fast, shifting to alternative carriers and boosting our capacity significantly to integrate new clients and to keep shipments moving. It was a rare, high‑pressure moment that really put our ability to adapt to the test.We’re also navigating ongoing uncertainty around tariffs and cross‑border trade, especially with goods coming from the US, one of our largest markets. It’s the closed‑room conversations and our partners that help us all move forward as efficiently as possible.What upcoming projects are you excited about?We’re celebrating our 40-year anniversary, and it’s more than just a milestone for me – it’s a chance for our team to pause, reflect, and take pride in how far we’ve come. It’s also a moment to build on the momentum from the changes we’ve made internally. I’m genuinely looking forward to spending this time with our people.I’m also looking forward to a few key projects over the next 12 to 24 months. Each one is about putting our customers first, helping them succeed, and making sure we’re ready to adapt as Canada continues to be a strong, reliable market and global e‑commerce keeps changing. What makes FB Canada Express unique compared to other logistics providers?Flexibility is one of our biggest strengths, and it extends far beyond final-mile delivery. We’re carrier‑agnostic, which means in dense urban areas we might hand parcels to gig‑economy delivery partners, while in rural areas we use Canada Post’s full national coverage. But our competitive advantage also comes from our flexible approach to handling DDP and DDU parcels.In Canada, the duties and taxes importation threshold is set at $20, and for shipments above this value we can process DDP and DDU within the same consignment. This allows our clients to optimise duties, taxes, and the delivery experience without having to split consolidations.We also draw on our final-mile wholesale rates, clearance expertise, and technology to adjust quickly to market conditions or regulatory changes. Whether it’s a postal strike, a carrier shutdown, or a shift in trade requirements, we reroute, re‑plan, and keep goods moving.That level of readiness is what allows our clients to stay competitive and keep their promises to customers in Canada. About NicholasNicholas Timmins stepped into the CEO role following 8 impactful years as FB Canada Express’s Chief Financial Officer, where he played a critical role in scaling and positioning the company as a leading wholesale provider in cross‑border logistics. A Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and graduate of Concordia University’s John Molson School of Business, he brings a strong foundation in business strategy and financial management.Before joining FB Canada Express, Nicholas worked as a Senior Auditor at Deloitte, advising on high‑level transactions and acquisitions. His experience across both private and public sectors gives him a diverse skill set to guide the company into its next chapter. Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Post&Parcel Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Post&Parcel