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<\/a><\/p>\nThe centre for all eastern Ontario alcohol.<\/span><\/p>\n The LCBO \u2013 as it\u2019s better known \u2013 is a provincially-owned corporation, with a monopoly over alcohol distribution in the province.<\/p>\n It\u2019s also the largest alcohol distributor in the world. There are some big benefits to such an enormous size, but there are also some big challenges organizing such a huge operation.<\/p>\n This fiscal year, the LCBO expects to ship 90 million cases of alcohol. Last year, the LCBO brought in more than $4 billion in revenue.<\/p>\n The LCBO buys alcohol from all corners of the globe. Its the companies huge size that allows it to buy such a wide variety of products, says VP of logistics, George Soleas.<\/p>\n That size even allows for private ordering, which Soleas says also improves its selection of products.<\/p>\n \u201cThe world is our shopping basket,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n Supply Chain Challenges<\/p>\n With such a large selection, Soleas says it\u2019s often tough to ensure products reach store shelves on time.<\/p>\n Shipments are brought through Montreal, New York and Vancouver where the containers are put on rail cars and sent to Toronto.<\/p>\n Labour troubles at ports cause the company headaches, he says, whether they\u2019re in Europe or in Montreal.<\/p>\n Natural disasters, such as the earthquake last year in Chile, also cause nightmares. In the summer of 2010, low water levels in the St. Lawrence Seaway meant many shipments had to be re-routed through Halifax.<\/p>\n With such a large system, it\u2019s important to keep hiccups to a minimum, before they disrupt the whole supply chain.<\/p>\n \u201cIf there\u2019s a delay, there\u2019s a cascading effect,\u201d says Soleas.<\/p>\n To smooth out the shipping process, the LCBO contracts with freight forwarders. There job is to ensure that shipment with that wine you want reaches its destination in time and is handled properly.<\/p>\n \u201cThey have to make sure it doesn\u2019t freeze, that it doesn\u2019t bake,\u201d says Soleas.<\/p>\n Shipments are brought through Montreal, New York and Vancouver where the containers are put on rail cars and sent to Toronto.<\/p>\n Getting the product onto shelves<\/p>\n From Toronto, products are shipped to one of five warehouses located around the province.<\/p>\n The largest, just north of Toronto in Durham, handles 60 per cent of the LCBO\u2019s volume.<\/p>\n