Walmart planning new automated technology for upcoming Alberta fulfillment center
A sizable investment is being made within Walmart Canada’s operations. The retailer has revealed plans to build a new, high-tech sortable fulfillment center, announcing an investment of $118 million in the Alberta, Canada, region.
Horacio Barbeito, President and Chief Executive Officer, Walmart Canada
“We are tremendously proud to be investing in a new high tech ‘sortable’ fulfillment center in the Calgary area that will create jobs, boost the economy, and deliver quicker service for our customers,” said Horacio Barbeito, President and Chief Executive Officer. “This modern facility will provide our associates with the latest logistics technology to improve our supply chain. That means more products available, more orders fulfilled, and more Canadians offered two-day shipping. This is how we’re transforming our operations to meet the needs of Albertans and all Canadians.”
Patricio Dallan, Senior Vice President of Omni Supply Chain, Walmart Canada
The fulfillment center is reportedly part of Walmart Canada’s five-year $3.5 billion investment in its customer experience and e-commerce operations. The facility will stand at approximately 430,000 square feet, serving as a delivery hub for millions of customer orders in Western Canada. A press release stated that it is slated to open in September of this year.
A first for Walmart Canada, the facility will be integrating innovative ‘goods-to-person’ robotic technology, ultimately speeding up order fulfillment by using an advanced software operating system that will help associates store, pick, and sort items by using smart and flexible storage abilities.
“The retail business is evolving and Walmart Canada is responding with investments in Alberta and across Canada to bolster our supply chain network,” said John Bayliss, Executive Vice President, Chief Transformation Officer. “Walmart Canada is on a transformation journey, and this investment ensures we can deliver for our customers in Western Canada, now and in the future.”
Walmart Canada has announced an investment of $118 million in the Alberta region with plans to build a new, high-tech sortable fulfillment center
John Bayliss, Executive Vice President, Chief Transformation Officer, Walmart Canada
Once operational, the fulfillment center will be capable of shipping 20 million items annually and storing 500,000 items to fulfill direct to home and in-store pickup orders. The site will be designed to optimize packaging, minimize waste, and reduce transportation costs, creating more than 325 new jobs at Walmart.
“We are excited to be bringing a new high-tech fulfillment center to the Calgary area,” said Patricio Dallan, Senior Vice President of Omni Supply Chain. “Our customers deserve the best experience when they shop with us, and this investment will help us deliver more items to more households quicker than ever before. We are proud to be investing for growth in Western Canada while improving our supply chain to deliver for Canadians.”
