Groupe Robert opens refrigerated DC in Quebec

Groupe Robert has opened its automated distribution centre in Varennes, Quebec.

Located near Highway 30, about 25 km northeast of Montreal, the large vertical capacity distribution centre will boast a height of 131 feet and will have storage capacity for 60,000 pallets, 30,000 for fresh products and 30,000 for frozen products.

The company spent over $200 million to build it, supported by financial contributions from the government of Quebec, Investissement Québec and several partners.

Originally announced in March 2021, the building was at that time scheduled to open in early 2023 at a cost of $150 million.

Groupe Robert is the first third-party logistics (3 PL) service provider in Quebec with an automated warehouse for fresh and frozen food products, one of the most advanced facilities in North America.

“This new state-of-the-art distribution centre, that brings together the best proven technologies in the industry, demonstrates Groupe Robert’s continued commitment to innovation and excellence for our clients,” said Michel Robert, president and CEO of Groupe Robert.

To improve the building’s energy efficiency, Groupe Robert had specific, thicker insulating panels developed for the project, which are now certified. In terms of fire protection, the traditional sprinklers have been replaced by an oxygen level reduction system, designed by Wagner, the same company whose fire suppression systems are protecting the British Library and its over 400-year-old historical documents.

Other suppliers included Voestalpine and Dematic.

The building is a 14-storey freestanding structure, built with high-precision parts manufactured in Austria. It was pre-assembled in Quebec’s Saguenay region before being erected in Varennes.

The general contractor was Construction Sorel. Groupe Robert engaged the services of architect Jean Carol Fournier and engineering firm Tetra Tech.

Unloading and loading are the only operations that will be done manually, which greatly improves efficiency in the face of the current labour shortages.

This new warehouse is an addition to the facilities of Groupe Robert’s Boucherville agri-food complex and will allow the company to offer existing and new customers augmented solutions for their refrigerated and frozen goods.