Corporate Social Responsibility Report

In Balzac, Alberta on November 10, 2010, we officially opened our first sustainable fresh food distribution centre. This first-of-its-kind facility is targeted to be 60 per cent more energy-efficient than our traditional refrigerated centres and help reduce energy costs by approximately $4.8M over five years.

Designed to be one of North America’s most energy-efficient distribution centres, the Balzac facility is a living lab of sustainability and includes our first pilots of hydrogen fuel cells, solar, thermal and wind power, as well as LEDs for general overhead lighting.

Andy Ellis, SVP of Supply Chain and Logistics spoke at the launch. “Balzac showcases the immediate business returns of investing in green innovations and the positive impact of a sustainability mindset through all phases of a project. Its successful completion supports our long-held belief that environmental and business sustainability can go hand-in-hand.”

Then Environment Minister John Baird sent this message, “The Government of Canada congratulates Walmart Canada for its commitment to environmental leadership. Projects like this innovative Perishable Distribution Centre create a showcase for industry in Alberta and keep our nation on the cutting edge of green technologies.”

Walmart Canada invested $115M to build the 400,000 sq ft centre. One of Canada’s largest refrigerated buildings, it serves as a hub for fresh and frozen food destined for 104 Walmart stores in Western Canada. Over the course of its construction, an estimated 800 jobs were created in trade and construction roles. The Walmart-owned facility is operated by Supply Chain Management, a third-party logistics provider and employs approximately 600 team members.