Walmart Canada is building its first eastern Canadian distribution centre in Moncton, New Brunswick. The $56-million facility will provide fresh and frozen groceries for the company’s 43 stores in Atlantic Canada.

Opening next fall, the project is expected to create more than 200 jobs inside the distribution centre, as well as construction and engineering roles during the build. Over the last 12 months, Walmart has purchased more than $185 million worth of products from over 68 Atlantic Canada-based suppliers. Twenty-one of these suppliers are in New Brunswick.

“We’re developing a world class supply chain that prioritizes our customers,” said John Bayliss, executive vice-president, transformation officer, Walmart Canada. “The better and stronger the supply chain, the quicker our customers can get the products they want in our stores and online.”

The 221,000-square-foot facility will sit on almost 19 acres of land. The project will be designed with environmental sustainability in mind, mainly: reducing long haul distances with products much closer to stores; an Energy Star white reflective roof; energy efficient LED lighting with integrated motion sensors and intelligent controls; longer lasting lithium-ion electric material handling equipment; and natural refrigerants. Waste heat generated from the refrigeration system will be reclaimed and used to supply underfloor heating systems.

Moncton is the newest project in a suite of Walmart Canada distribution centres currently under construction. Facilities in Surrey, British Columbia and Vaughan, Ontario will open in 2022 and 2024, respectively.