Walmart Canada opens high-tech distribution centre in B.C.

Walmart Canada opened a state-of-the-art distribution centre in Surrey, B.C., this week.

With a $175-million price tag, the 300,000-sq.-ft. facility is, according to Walmart, its “most advanced grocery distribution centre,” to date. The state-of-the-art warehouse boasts leading-edge technologies with a focus on sustainability. For instance, Walmart says the facility was built vertically, and as a result uses about half the land that would be required of a more traditional, equivalent distribution centre, reducing its overall carbon footprint.

Walmart says technology from German firm WITRON was incorporated into the build, making it possible to complete up to 150,000 order picks per day, improving efficiency and speed while requiring less physical effort from employees.

The Surrey, B.C., facility is part of Walmart Canada’s $3.5 billion investment to generate growth and speed the flow of products through the retailer’s supply chain across Canada.

“We’re incredibly proud of our new sustainability-focused and technology-enabled distribution centre in Surrey. Facilities like this one are an investment in the community, our associates and customers and allow our suppliers to get their products into the hands of Canadians across the country even faster,” said Horacio Barbeito, president and CEO of Walmart Canada in a release.

John Bayliss, executive vice president and chief transformation officer for the retailer added that the new facility would be the future hub of its electric fleet. “This is only the start for what Canadians can expect from Walmart: we’re transforming how we enable our supply chain and associates with leading-edge technologies and innovations,” said Bayliss.

Last month the retailer announced it was investing $118 million to build a high-tech fulfillment centre in Rocky View County, Alta., which is slated to open in September.