City of Cornwall emerges as major distribution hub with over five million square feet of warehouse space

There are plenty of changes afoot just east of Cornwall, where distribution centres — an often-forgotten but crucial part of our supply chain — are rising alongside the existing Walmart Distribution Centres just off the Macdonald-Cartier Freeway.

Since 2005, the two 1.5-million-sq. ft. distribution centres have employed over 2,500 workers and have served retail locations across eastern Canada. Alongside Walmart, there is a 900,000-sq. ft. Shoppers and Loblaw distribution centre, and a new 984,000-sq. ft. Michelin distribution centre, which is set to open at the end of October. Combined, that’s over five million square feet of warehouse space.

This is no coincidence. Cornwall has emerged as a crucial link in the supply chain, joining Calgary and the Greater Toronto Area as a distribution hub. With access to Highway 401, a Canadian National Railway main line, and the St. Lawrence Seaway, distributors are just a short trip away from any regional city or international port, with connections to Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritimes.

City of Cornwall’s strategy for logistics

It’s something that attracted Walmart to Cornwall in the first place, says Jeremiah Rodriguez, vice-president of DC operations, East. “When the paper mill left in 2005, it provided an opportunity to open up our business,” he says, citing an available workforce and a desirable location for the distribution centre. “It made a lot of sense to start here. We’re surprised it took so long for other companies to follow,” he adds.

Rene-Paul Gomis, regional people manager of logistics at Walmart, says Cornwall was also a factor in the company’s investment. “The City of Cornwall has had a clear strategy for businesses in logistics like ours,” he says. Other cost savings, like less expensive land and more affordable hydro rates from Quebec, helped seal the deal.

“The community has been very welcoming,” according to Gomis. “The mayors and city council have been transparent, and we’ve done the same.” Part of that relationship is built on Walmart’s investment in Cornwall beyond its distribution centre. The company has supported local charities, sports teams, and cultural events to cement its place in a growing community.

There have, of course, been challenges for Walmart and other distribution centres in the area. The pandemic led to heightened demand for products and fewer workers to fulfill orders. “Unique solutions were implemented, and there is less strain on labour now as Cornwall has grown,” says Rodriguez. “The city seems aware of what strategies need to be in place to avoid future labour market crunches.”

Skilled labour is on the way

Attracting people from larger population centres like Toronto, Ottawa, or Montreal to a smaller city like Cornwall can be a challenge, and it has sometimes been tough to find logistics experts willing to relocate. “Finding the right labour with the right skills is very challenging, but we’ve helped grow and develop our associates internally,” says Rodriguez.

That skilled labour is on the way, with St. Lawrence College launching a logistics program at its Cornwall campus and trucking companies expanding operations in the area. If you build it, they will come.

The future looks bright for Walmart and other companies looking to open distribution centres in the community. The population is growing, connections are improving, costs are low, and the municipal government — keen to maintain the momentum — is helping businesses open as best it can. Keeping any insider secrets under wraps, Rodriguez sums it up by saying, “Of all the regions, Cornwall has the most capacity to grow, and that growth is coming.”