As reported by Eric Patenaude in the Granby Express newspaper, Groupe Robert Bernard plans to invest $8 million in the construction of its new warehouse on Rue Vadnais in Granby, in order to repatriate its commercial division currently based in Saint-Paul-d’Abbotsford.

Once the renovation and expansion of the existing structure–recently acquired–is complete, Groupe Robert Bernard’s new warehouse will cover more than 45,000 square feet. It will be able to accommodate up to 22,500 tires for the truck market.

“We’ve had a number of growth projects on the go for several years now. Of course, it’s always a case of chicken or the egg. Do I invest before growth, or wait for growth and then invest in a warehouse? Steve (Bernard) and I decided to make the investment right away, precisely to give us warehousing capacity and the necessary tools to achieve our goals in the commercial sector,” explained Groupe Robert Bernard Vice President Patrick Labrecque.

The commercial sector accounts for 70% of this major tire retailer’s business.

The warehouse, currently under construction, will enable the company to optimize its transport and delivery logistics by grouping all its products under one roof. However, this will not result in the closure of the Saint-Paul-d’Abbotsford warehousing area, which will continue to store the inventory of the agricultural and civil engineering division, according to information provided by Mr. Labrecque.

Part of the Saint-Paul-d’Abbotsford staff will be transferred to the future distribution centre, while new hirings (forklift operators, handlers, delivery drivers) are planned for the medium term. Operations on Vadnais Street are scheduled to begin in March 2024.