METRO’s new automated distribution centre up and running in Toronto

METRO Inc. announced the inauguration of its automated distribution centre for fresh products in Toronto, which marks the completion of a near $1 billion investment into the modernization of its supply chain.

With the new Toronto Fresh distribution centre now fully operational, the final phase of METRO’s seven-year modernization project has been completed. Initiated in 2017, the project has included investments in a new automated fresh and frozen distribution centre in Terrebonne, Que., which opened in 2023, the expansion of the fresh produce distribution centre in Laval, Que., and the construction of two new automated distribution centres in Toronto – a frozen facility that opened in 2022, and the opening of the fresh facility.

“Our new automated distribution centres as well as the expansion of one of our facilities represent a substantial investment in METRO’s future,” said Eric La Flèche, president and CEO of METRO Inc. “The transformation of our supply chain will provide capacity for future growth and efficiency, strengthen our market position and generate new opportunities for our employees.”

The company’s automated distribution centres feature state-of-the-art technology provided by METRO’s automation partner, Witron, a German company for automation in the food distribution sector, which METRO has been working with since 2017.

“The opening of METRO’s Toronto Fresh DC represents a major milestone,” said Dan Gabbard, vice-president of logistics and distribution, METRO Inc. “This facility incorporates modern technology that boosts our efficiency as a retailer, ensuring we can deliver high-quality food products to our stores more efficiently, thereby enhancing freshness and quality.”

METRO’s modernized supply chain aims to:

• Improve service to METRO’s store network with greater precision and reduced handling time;
• Provide efficiency gains throughout the supply chain that will enable METRO to be more competitive;
• Offer greater precision-in-order fulfillment, which will improve its in-stock position in store;
• Improve customer experience through greater variety and freshness;
• Sustain anticipated growth.