Ontario Construction News staff writer
Amazon Canada has announced plans to open new fulfillment centres in Hamilton and Ajax.
The facilities are expected to open in 2021, creating more than 2,500 new, full-time jobs and increasing the company’s total to 10 fulfillment centres in Ontario and 16 in Canada.
“We’re thrilled to continue expanding our operations in Ontario with our newest fulfillment centres in Hamilton and Ajax,” said Sumegha Kumar, director, Canadian Customer Fulfillment Operations, Amazon Canada.
“We’ve had great success with the talented workforce in Ontario, and we look forward to creating an additional 2,500 full-time jobs with competitive pay and benefits starting on day one.”
Hamilton Fulfillment Centre
At the new 855,000 sq. ft. fulfillment centre in Hamilton, more than 1,500 employees will work alongside Amazon robotics to pick, pack and ship small items to customers such as books, electronics and toys.
“I’m pleased that Amazon has chosen to locate its latest fulfillment centre in Hamilton,” said Donna Skelly, MPP for Flamborough—Glanbrook.
“My riding of Flamborough-Glanbrook has seen unprecedented investment in the past couple of years. This is evidence that business has confidence in Ontario as our government works to chart a path to economic recovery and get people back to work.”
Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger, Mayor of the City of Hamilton says the investment highlights that Hamilton remains the top destination in the province to grow, innovate and do business.
“This is the beginning of a strong partnership with Amazon Canada, and I look forward to our continued collaboration in the future,” he said.
Ajax Fulfillment Centre
One million sq. ft. fulfillment centre, that will employ than 1,000 employees to pack and ship large customer purchases such as sports equipment, patio furniture, fishing rods, pet food, kayaks, bicycles and other household goods.
“Amazon’s decision to build a facility in Ajax is great news for our town and Durham Region,” said Rod Phillips, MPP for Ajax. “The 1,000 new, full-time jobs Amazon has committed to are coming at a crucial time. It is a good example of the kind of investment we need in Ontario as the economy recovers from COVID-19.”
The Mayor of Ajax welcomed the decision.
“Welcoming a global leader like Amazon will mean so much to the community, keeping employment strong in the town, and across the Region as we recover from COVID-19,” he said.
“Taking advantage of the Town’s Priority PATH fast-tracked development process, we are accelerating the availability of 1,000 high quality jobs in 2021. Thank you, Amazon – welcome to Ajax!”
Amazon also recently added five new nearby delivery stations in Stoney Creek, Kitchener, Vaughan and Toronto (Etobicoke and Scarborough). The Etobicoke site has already launched, and the Kitchener site will launch later this year. The Stoney Creek, Scarborough and Vaughan sites will launch in 2021.
“We’re pleased to welcome Amazon, which has chosen to invest in the City of Kitchener through the establishment of one of its new delivery stations,” said Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic. “As a global player in 21st century retail, Amazon’s new delivery station will create both new permanent job growth and small business opportunities for local entrepreneurs interested in establishing delivery businesses.”
In total, Amazon employs more than 21,000 full- and part-time employees at the company’s fulfillment centres, corporate offices and development centres in Canada.
Between 2010 and 2019, the company has invested more than $11 billion in Canada, including infrastructure and compensation to our employees. Amazon’s expenditures in Canada in 2019 have created an estimated 24,000 jobs at firms other than Amazon.
Amazon’s worldwide fulfillment network supports businesses of all sizes through its Fulfillment by Amazon offering, and many of those local businesses are based in Canada. There are more than 30,000 authors, small and medium-sized businesses, and developers in Canada growing their companies and reaching new customers with Amazon products and services.