New facility triples warehouse capacity in
British Columbia
MARKHAM,
ON, Sept. 6, 2024 /CNW/ - Pet Valu Holdings
Ltd. ("Pet Valu" or "the Company"), the leading Canadian specialty
retailer of pet food and pet-related supplies, announced today the
official opening of its 350,000 sq. ft., LEED-gold certified
distribution centre in Surrey, British
Columbia ("Surrey DC" or the "Facility"). The Surrey DC,
which is three times the size of Pet Valu's existing warehouse in
the province, is a key component of Pet Valu's over $100 million supply chain transformation and
unlocks the Company's continued growth in Western Canada while providing enhanced
service to existing stores in the region.
"Our new Surrey DC represents the second pillar of our supply
chain transformation, and another key achievement of our
cross-functional teams, whose careful balance of rigourous planning
and iterative learning have kept this multi-year project on time
and on budget," says Richard
Maltsbarger, Chief Executive Officer of Pet Valu. "This new
Facility embodies Pet Valu's commitment to Our Four Paws service
model, designed to emphasize safety, compassion, expertise and
efficiency. Following several years of heightened investments, we
are now entering the final stretch of our transformation, after
which we will have Canada's
strongest pet specialty distribution network as the backbone to
propel Pet Valu's continued profitable growth over the next
decade."
The Surrey DC is the second largest pet specialty distribution
centre in Canada, exceeded only by
Pet Valu's own 670,000 sq. ft. distribution centre in Brampton, Ontario ("GTA DC"), and brings up to
150 skilled jobs to Surrey.
Similar to the GTA DC, the Facility utilizes an advanced warehouse
management system, and modernized machine handling equipment,
safety systems and security systems. Additional features include
ample wellness space to support the diverse needs of its employees,
including a meal room, training space, a driver's lounge, prayer
and ablution rooms, and first aid facilities. As part of the
Company's ongoing pursuit to optimize energy and emissions
management, the Surrey DC will pilot the use of two electric trucks
as part of its delivery fleet. Each electric delivery truck
represents an opportunity to avoid consumption of over
25,000 litres of diesel fuel per year.
Pet Valu expects the Surrey DC to be fully operational by the
fourth quarter of 2024, as it scales down use and exits its legacy
distribution centre and third-party storage space in the Metro
Vancouver Region in the coming months. The Facility is currently
receiving and shipping all products through advanced manual
processes with implementation of automation of its piece-pick
operations intended for 2026 or thereafter.
"Pet Valu continues to set a high bar for pet specialty
distribution capabilities in Canada," says Nico
Weidel, Chief Supply Chain Officer at Pet Valu. "The
advanced, modern processes and systems at each of our new
distribution centres provide improved product availability, faster
order processing, and enhanced customer service levels for stores
and eCommerce customers alike in a safe, spacious environment that
supports the needs of our modern workforce. As we finalize our
transitions in the Greater Toronto
and Metro Vancouver regions, we will soon shift our focus to our
final distribution hub in Calgary
and completion of our supply chain transformation in 2025."
About Pet Valu
Pet Valu is Canada's leading retailer of pet food and
pet-related supplies with over 800 corporate-owned or franchised
locations across the country. For more than 45 years, Pet Valu has
earned the trust and loyalty of pet parents by offering
knowledgeable customer service, a premium product offering and
engaging in-store services. Through its neighbourhood stores and
digital platform, Pet Valu offers more than 9,000 competitively
priced products, including a broad assortment of premium, super
premium, holistic and award-winning proprietary brands. The company
is headquartered in Markham,
Ontario and its shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange
(TSX: PET). To learn more, please visit: www.petvalu.ca.
Forward looking and other cautionary statements
This
news release contains "forward-looking information" within the
meaning of applicable securities legislation, which reflects the
Company's current expectations regarding future events, including
the Company's expectations regarding the timeline for the Facility
to be fully operational and for the introduction of automation
capabilities, the expected impact of the Facility, including pick
productivity improvement and job creation, and the amount of
investment to be made by the Company in its distribution network.
Forward-looking information is based on a number of assumptions,
and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of
which are beyond the Company's control. Such risks and
uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the factors
discussed in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's annual
information form dated March 4, 2024.
Actual results could differ materially from those projected herein.
Unless otherwise noted or the context otherwise indicates, the
forward-looking information contained in this news release is
provided as of the date of this news release and Pet Valu does not
undertake any obligation to update such forward-looking
information, whether as a result of new information, future events
or otherwise, except as expressly required under applicable
securities laws.
SOURCE Pet Valu Canada Inc.
