Fastfrate opens new facility in Manitoba

Fastfrate Group, a Canadian provider of transportation and supply chain solutions, has officially opened its new $55-million transportation and logistics facility at CentrePort Canada Rail Park, a 25-acre site in Rosser, Man.

The facility consolidates Fastfrate’s operations under one roof, bringing together three key divisions—Fastfrate, ASL Distribution Services and Precision Parcel and Package Deliveries. This co-location allows the company to streamline services, including intermodal LTL and FTL, intra-West trucking, warehousing, distribution and final-mile parcel deliveries.

“This grand opening is a significant milestone for Fastfrate Group as we expand our footprint into Manitoba and Western Canada, and elevate our service offerings,” said Manny Calandrino, CEO of Fastfrate Group. “We’ve been a part of the Winnipeg community for over 50 years, and this new facility will allow us to better meet the growing demands of our customers while creating new opportunities for the local economy.”

The 114,000-square-foot facility features 56 dock doors and advanced cross-docking capabilities, designed to handle high volumes efficiently for domestic and international shipments. Its location at the CentrePort Canada Rail Park positions it strategically to take advantage of road and rail infrastructure, enabling Fastfrate to expand its cross-border services along the Canada-U.S.-Mexico corridor.

“Fastfrate’s expansion here in CentrePort is exciting, and once again highlights Manitoba as a transportation hub for North America,” said Jamie Moses, Manitoba’s minister of business, mining, trade and job creation. “This strength enables Fastfrate to offer unique and efficient supply chain expertise. We are pleased to celebrate their growth in Manitoba.”

The facility’s centralization of services underpins Fastfrate’s plans for further growth, including workforce expansion as operations scale. It also sets the stage for future operational models in other regions, according to Ron Tepper, Fastfrate’s executive chairman.

“This model of integrating multiple service lines under one roof will be a blueprint for future expansion in other regions,” Tepper said. “It’s a transformative step for our business, and we are excited about the positive impact it will have on our clients and the Manitoba community.”

The project was completed in less than 18 months, with Fastfrate breaking ground in early 2023.

“Today marks an incredible milestone in Rosser as we celebrate Fastfrate Group’s grand opening in the Rail Park,” said Reeve Ken Mulligan of the RM of Rosser. “We are delighted to see this transformational project open and operational.”

Carly Edmundson, president and CEO of CentrePort Canada Inc., highlighted the Rail Park’s importance in bolstering Manitoba’s logistics sector.

“The CentrePort Canada Rail Park is critical to the trimodal inland port’s vision and value proposition,” Edmundson said. “Congratulations to Fastfrate Group on their new facilities and on being the first company to start operations in the Rail Park.”

Focus Equities, which developed the CentrePort Canada Rail Park, echoed the sentiment.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Fastfrate Group to CentrePort Canada Rail Park,” said Chris Reiter, senior development manager for Focus Equities. “Their commitment to enhancing transportation and supply chain solutions aligns perfectly with our vision of making CentrePort Canada Rail Park a leading logistics and intermodal gateway in North America.”

The facility underscores Fastfrate’s commitment to growing its presence in Manitoba and Western Canada while enhancing its ability to meet evolving customer needs.