Press launch: Pet Valu
Pet Valu Holdings Ltd., the main Canadian specialty retailer of pet meals and pet-related provides, just lately introduced the official opening of its state-of-the-art 670,000-square-foot distribution heart in Brampton, Ontario. Representing a key milestone within the firm’s nationwide $110 million provide chain transformation, the GTA DC will deliver unprecedented scale and automation to Canada’s pet sector as the biggest distribution heart and robotics automation set up devoted to serving the pet specialty trade.
“At present marks a major accomplishment for our groups, whose meticulous planning and tireless efforts have enabled Pet Valu to take a giant step in direction of constructing Canada’s strongest pet specialty distribution community” mentioned Richard Maltsbarger, president and chief govt officer of Pet Valu. “As the biggest pet specialty facility in Canada, our GTA DC will profit a number of features of our enterprise via capability to assist future progress, efficiencies to speed up pace to prospects, tailor-made amenities to assist staff and job creation to assist the communities we serve. We look ahead to enhancing distribution providers to our company and franchised shops in Central and Japanese Canada, together with into our Chico banner in Quebec.”
Constructed by Orlando Company, Canada’s largest privately-owned industrial actual property developer and landlord, the GTA DC is roughly the dimensions of 11 soccer fields and can deliver as much as 500 expert jobs to Brampton. Highlights embrace a café, nursing room, prayer rooms, coaching room, driver’s lounge and open idea workplace area. The Facility additionally employs superior well being and security options, akin to ergonomically designed workstations and gear.
Beginning within the first half of 2024, Pet Valu plans to introduce automation capabilities into the GTA DC, with the set up of Canada’s largest goods-to-person robotics set up devoted to pet specialty merchandise. The design could have the aptitude to course of orders identical day, whereas enhancing choose productiveness by greater than 50 % and decreasing the general footprint in comparison with a conventional handbook selecting answer. The power’s warehouse processes, methods and automation are anticipated to scale back prices per case and drive productiveness enhancements in addition to present improved product availability, sooner order processing and total customer support ranges for shops and eCommerce prospects.
“Our GTA DC establishes a brand new benchmark for pet specialty distribution capabilities in Canada. Along with offering a contemporary provide chain community that may provide our shops with versatile, dependable and correct service, and world-class on-shelf availability in retailer and on-line, the ability helps the person wants of our numerous workforce,” mentioned Nico Weidel, chief provide chain officer at Pet Valu.
Pet Valu expects the GTA DC to be absolutely operational by the primary half of 2024, following a phased transition interval. The power is at present commencing receipt and cargo of bulk gadgets akin to dry pet meals and litter. As soon as set up and setup of automation gear is full in early 2024, receipt and cargo of piece-pick gadgets akin to toys and collars will transition over to the GTA DC. The corporate will scale down use of its legacy distribution amenities and third-party cupboard space within the Larger Toronto Space all through these phases.
The GTA DC serves as one factor of Pet Valu’s nationwide provide chain transformation technique. Commenced in 2022, the corporate plans to speculate $110 million over 4 years to modernize its distribution networks within the Larger Toronto Space, Vancouver and Calgary. Progress has already begun in Vancouver, the place Pet Valu has signed a lease for a brand new, near-complete facility, concentrating on start-up in mid-2024.
Pet Valu is Canada’s main retailer of pet meals and pet-related provides with over 750 corporate-owned or franchised places throughout the nation. For greater than 40 years, Pet Valu has earned the belief and loyalty of pet dad and mom by providing educated customer support, a premium product providing and fascinating in-store providers. Pet Valu’s neighbourhood shops supply greater than 7,000 competitively priced merchandise, together with a broad assortment of premium, tremendous premium, holistic and award-winning proprietary manufacturers.
t