Walmart Canada supports e-commerce with smart facility

Walmart Canada’s newest distribution center features artificial intelligence and automation.

Supply chain solutions and services provider SCI Canada is managing a purpose-built, 450,000-sq.-ft. DC in Mississauga, Ontario. Serving as the main facility dedicated to fulfilling Walmart Canada's online orders, the center is equipped with intelligence software that provides real-time visibility to operations and is fully integrated with SCI's warehouse management system.

The new DC maximizes storage through a four-level, 70,000-sq.-ft. pick platform for storing and picking smaller items and pallet racking for larger and higher-volume items. Automation improves capacity and uses conveyors to transport materials to one of five zones on each level and complete pick totes to a put-wall area from both the platform and pallet racks.

Walmart says the hub is part of its strategy to continue growing its e-commerce business in Canada. Walmart Canada's flagship website is visited daily by over 750,000 customers.

"It's exciting that shopping on Walmart.ca continues growing in popularity with our customers,” said Alexis Lanternier, executive VP e-commerce, Walmart Canada. “We've been modernizing and innovating to ensure products can get to our customers in the quickest and most efficient way possible, without compromising on our everyday low prices and the quality customers expect. We're proud to have partnered with SCI to create this distribution center, as it provides a customized end-to-end solution that suits our growing business needs."