Amazon Canada opens landmark robotics powered sort centre

Amazon has opened YUL9, pitched as the e-commerce giant’s most advanced sort centre in Canada, in Coteau-du-Lac, Quebec.

The 720,000 square foot YUL9 facility will be the first sort centre in Canada to implement Amazon Robotics' mobile robotic order fulfillment systems.

The move will enable faster order fulfilment to communities in Eastern Canada.

"The entire Amazon team is proud to continue investing in Quebec and Coteau-du-Lac," says Anamaria Zammit, Site Leader, Amazon Canada.

"With training and skill development programmes, a full range of benefits and competitive salaries, Amazon continues its mission to be the best employer on earth by helping its employees reach their career goals. We are proud to call Coteau-du-Lac home to our most advanced robotics facility in the country."  

"The opening of the sort centre is a testament to the competitiveness and strategic location of our city," says Andrée Brosseau, Mayor of Coteau-du-Lac. 

"As we enter the post-Covid recovery period, the centre's opening will play a significant role in the entire regional, and even Quebec's, economic ecosystem."

Robots in the USA

Earlier this month, Amazon opened a new robotics manufacturing facility in Westborough, Massachusetts, USA. 

It began introducing robotics into its facilities in 2012 and has since added over a million new jobs worldwide. 

The 350,000 square foot facility will feature corporate offices, research and development labs, and manufacturing space, in addition to Amazon Robotics’ current site in North Reading, Massachusetts.

Manufacturing of Amazon Robotics mobile drive units will be a primary focus.

These and other robotic technologies work with employees to help fulfil customer orders.