Lactalis Canada has opened a new 379,000-square-foot build-to-suit dairy products distribution centre in the Toronto suburb of Oshawa, Ont.

The company preleased the property from its owner and developer Broccolini in 2023. Montreal-based Broccolini will manage the site as part of the long-term lease deal that is now in effect.

Lactalis said the facility becomes the largest distribution centre operated globally by its French parent, Lactalis Group.

“Lactalis Canada’s new Oshawa Distribution Centre is yet another part of our growth story in Canada and a testament to our ambitions as a dairy leader in this country,” said Mark Taylor, president and CEO of Lactalis Canada. “This facility ensures we meet the evolving needs of our business and valued customers, while its sustainable design will revolutionize our network’s efficiency and ESG agenda. 

“We look forward to being a key employer in the region and are committed to creating opportunities for employment, skill development, and career growth to contribute to the strong community of Oshawa.”

CBRE brokered the lease of the facility, which is slated to serve Lactalis Canada’s cheese and table spreads supply-chain network.

The building can store up to 60,000 pallets in both cooler and freezer environments. It is zero-carbon ready has has the potential to be zero-carbon certified. Power comes exclusively from the Ontario electrical grid, placing no addition reliance on non-renewable energy sources.

Heat generated from the refrigeration system is being fully reclaimed and used to heat the facility’s offices and the truck apron to melt snow for safety reasons. A white roof is designed to reduce a heat-island effect, and rooftop solar panels in a future phase will provide renewable power to partially or completely offset reliance on the provincial grid under certain conditions.

Lactalis Canada is the company behind the Cracker Barrel, Black Diamond, Balderson, Astro and Lactantia brands.

The new Oshawa building will consolidate multiple other Lactalis Canada shipping locations, including its internally operated Belleville distribution centre, the company said previously.