On January 14, 2025 TotalEnergies inaugurated their new Canadian distribution centre in Montreal. This marks a significant milestone for the lubricant manufacturer, which will use these new capabilities as leverage for their development in the Canadian market.

The new distribution centre expands upon the existing 60,000-square-foot facility in Montreal’s LaSalle borough, which houses the plant and administrative offices, adding another 30,000 square feet of space.

This expansion, coupled with neighbourhood and environmentally-friendly planning, profoundly transforms the company’s operations. An aerial view shows that production follows a logical flow.

Components and raw materials arrive at one end to supply production. The lubricants then move to the packaging line, where they are bottled in containers of various sizes, depending on their formulation, to meet market requirements. Then, all containers are placed on the new warehouse racks, awaiting preparation for shipment. The available storage can accommodate several thousand pallets on six levels.

The significant increase in TotalEnergies’ lubricant storage capacity within these walls allows the company to fully control deliveries.

“Having all the necessary products available to meet our customers’ demands makes all the difference,” said Olivier Gauthier, President of TotalEnergies Marketing Canada. “We can be faster and more precise with deliveries. Additionally, with our inventory now computerized, we track product availability and turnover in real time.”

Gauthier said that establishing several supply lines for critical components used in lubricant formulation prevents shortages, in case of supplier issues. According to Gauthier, while the new facilities are designed to boost efficiency, they also enhance site security and create an improved workplace for the company’s approximately 90 employees. The facility uses controlled traffic patterns throughout the production line to ensure worker safety.

Staff members can enjoy thoughtfully-designed outdoor spaces, including a community garden, where they can harvest fruits and vegetables in season. Since setting up operations in Canada, TotalEnergies has maintained a strong commitment to being a good corporate neighbour, with a particular focus on hiring locally.

Taking their place

TotalEnergies Marketing Canada manufactures all their lubricants locally to serve the Canadian market. The company combines their in-house testing facility with the expertise gained from 37 production centres worldwide.

TotalEnergies specializes in premium-grade lubricants for the high-end market. According to Pascal Tran, Canadian Commercial Director, the company operates in a well-established market where they compete against both long-standing major brands, and smaller suppliers offering economy products.

“The Canadian market continues to offer tremendous opportunities,” said Tran. “As customer demands shift, we’re constantly fine-tuning our product lineup to stay ahead. We’re also adapting to a distribution landscape that’s increasingly dominated by a handful of key players.”

Building strong relationships with these major distributors is central to TotalEnergies’ Canadian growth strategy. “We’re forging partnerships with distributors who already have strong connections with repair shops and service centres across the country,” explained Gauthier. “This strategy works exceptionally well because these partners have an in-depth understanding of their local markets. Our high-end products complement their existing lineup perfectly, making it a win-win partnership. Their established networks help us reach every corner of Canada. Thanks to our enhanced distribution capabilities, we can now supply their warehouses directly, based on their inventory needs.”

By centralizing operations at the Montreal facility, TotalEnergies has streamlined their distribution network, moving away from their previous five-warehouse system across Canada. This consolidation not only simplifies logistics, but also improves delivery efficiency.

Technology above all

Senior executives from TotalEnergies’ French headquarters were on hand for the grand opening of the new Canadian distribution centre. Among these dignitaries was Pierre Duhot, Senior Vice President of Lubricants and Specialties. According to him, lubricants in the automotive sector will remain relevant for a long time.

“Yes, electric vehicle adoption is gaining momentum both here in Canada and across Europe,” he said. “However, parallel to this slow shift, we observe gradual aging of the gasoline-powered vehicle fleet on both sides of the ocean. It’s estimated that it will take about twelve years before the percentage of electric vehicles reaches 15% in France. The reality is that heavy-duty vehicles, farm equipment, and industrial machinery can’t run without high-performance lubricants. This core market will drive strong demand for years to come.”

The automotive lubricants specialist emphasized that the transition to low-carbon transport represents a great opportunity for a company like TotalEnergies. “We are committed to science,” he added. “New generation vehicles, like hybrids, require lubricants meeting strict specifications. Providing a product designed to meet high quality criteria has always been our strength.”

Maria Teresa Neumann, Operations Director at TotalEnergies Canada, said her team has already seen firsthand how the new distribution centre is improving both customer satisfaction and employee morale at the Montreal facility. “Workplace health and safety is our top priority,” she said. “By providing our employees with an exceptional working environment, both inside and outside the facility, we’re creating a safe and positive workplace, which is essential for our recruitment efforts as well.”

Having complete control over production, quality testing and local inventory means that TotalEnergies can better serve their customers. “We can react quickly, since we control production, inventory, and deliveries,” she explained, noting that by controlling the entire process, it’s sometimes possible to move personnel from one function to another to meet urgent needs or activity peaks. With a complete range of value-added products and a strategy based on partnerships with well-established distributors across the Canadian territory, TotalEnergies has all the assets necessary to develop their presence from coast to coast.