Walmart cuts ribbon on new $100-million fulfillment centre in Balzac

BALZAC - Walmart Canada formally cut the ribbon on its new $100-million fulfillment centre in Balzac on June 28.

The state-of-the-art facility employs robotics and the latest in warehouse distribution technology, and, according to Walmart officials, it is greatly hoped the facility will help take its customers’ online e-shopping experience to the next level, complementing what it already offers at its supercentre stores across Alberta and western Canada.

“This facility will allow us to operate and flow, when we are at our maximum maturity, 20 million units a year,” Walmart Canada President and CEO Gonzalo Gebara told guests assembled under sunny skies in Balzac on Wednesday. “That makes a big difference for our customers, because we will be able to continue deliver our customer value proposition of everyday low prices. But now we will be able to offer it in the ways that are customers want to shop; however they want to shop, whatever they want to shop, and wherever they want to shop.”

Gebara thanked the Government of Alberta and Rocky View County in particular for creating a good business climate to make the expansion possible. 

Balzac is becoming an increasingly important logistics hub in Alberta, as many large companies have made significant investments in the community to take advantage of the County’s high-quality supporting infrastructure. According to Gabera, the new fulfillment centre will allow Walmart to offer a guarantee of two-day delivery all across western Canada for those who choose to shop online with the company.

“This site represents a significant investment in Alberta,” he said. “It represents the creation of more than 100 jobs and an investment of over $100 million. That is a testament of the commitment we have not only with the province, but also with the country. And how much we want to continue to grow and make a difference for Canadian customers.”

At Wednesday’s ribbon-cutting, Alberta Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver expressed his government’s gratitude to Walmart for undertaking such a significant investment in the province, both through its newest investment in Balzac and for all the facilities and stores it operates throughout Alberta.

“Thank you for choosing Alberta,” McIver stated. “Thank you for investing money here. Thank you for creating jobs here. Thank you for creating opportunities. Thank you for creating ways for Alberta businesses to distribute their goods and services that did not exist before this fulfillment centre was here.

“We believe in supporting families, and jobs, and people, and creating ways for people to be self-reliant and to support their families,” he later added. “There are 16,000 families in Alberta that are bringing home a paycheque from Walmart. And is that not something to celebrate?”

Rocky View County (RVC) Reeve Crystal Kissel also expressed her appreciation to Walmart for making a significant local investment of the fulfillment centre’s magnitude not a hop, skip and a jump away from the RVC’s municipal hall and headquarters in East Balzac.

“The decision by the representatives of Walmart to lay its roots in Rocky View County, and to continue to expand here, speaks volumes about the potential and the continued growth within this (Balzac) community,” she said.

Kissel also extended congratulations on behalf of all of RVC council, adding she had no doubt the new fulfillment centre will help Walmart grow its operations throughout Alberta and western Canada.

“The new centre offers an amenity that families from western Canada will welcome, giving them easy access, increased convenience and a great shopping experience that suits their busy lifestyles of today,” she said.