Dematic and Groupe Robert open Quebec’s first fully automated cold storage facility

Canadian logistics company Groupe Robert has opened a new Quebec distribution center in partnership with Dematic. The facility features one of the tallest Dematic Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS) for a third-party logistics (3PL) facility in Canada, with 130-foot-tall cranes that support fulfillment of fresh and frozen products from high-density cold storage, according to Dematic. The solution makes Groupe Robert the first 3PL provider in Quebec with an automated warehouse for both fresh and frozen foods.

“We are incredibly excited about how this distribution center will serve Quebec’s entire agri-food industry and enhance supply chain efficiency,” says Michel Robert, president and CEO of Groupe Robert. “We have a unique opportunity, in partnership with Dematic, to establish the warehouse as a base of operations for manufacturers looking to store and redistribute their products throughout North America. This facility is a symbol of our dedication to pushing boundaries, fostering growth and delivering unparalleled service to our customers.”

The facility’s AS/RS boasts a high-storage capacity of 60,000 pallets — 30,000 in fresh temperatures and 30,000 in frozen — and features a high-performance carbon dioxide refrigeration system and a low-oxygen system to manage fire hazards, Dematic explained. The project successfully completed in December 2023.

Groupe Robert is committed to business practices that prioritize sustainability, such as solar panels and a rainwater collection system. The facility’s heat recovery system uses heat generated by the refrigeration equipment to warm the distribution center’s interior and melt snow.

“We are immensely proud to collaborate with Groupe Robert on such a tremendous project and to help them reach new heights in meeting their customer needs,” says Mike Larsson, president, Dematic, KION group executive board member. “Our strategic partnership reinforces our commitment to leading technological innovation in the food and beverage industry at large. Serving as a trusted partner in the opening of this Groupe Robert facility marks a new era of efficiency in service for their community.”