Longueuil, Quebec – Molson Coors announced October 19 that it officially broke ground, kicking off the construction for what will be the company’s most modern brewing facility and distribution centre to date. The project represents a major investment and a new chapter in the company’s 230 plus years in Canada.
This new brewery and distribution centre is a significant investment by Molson Coors—indeed, one of the largest investments in its history—and a demonstration of its ongoing commitment to Greater Montreal. Local trades, services contractors and operators will be crucial to the project’s success.
Pomerleau-Alberici, a partnership between Pomerleau and Alberici Constructors, has been selected to lead the design and construction of the project. There will be approximately 500-800 workers on site during the total duration of the project.
Photo credit: Molson Coors Canada
For Frederic Landtmeters, president and CEO, Molson Coors Canada, this project connects the company’s storied past to the industry’s future. “Molson Coors Canada is the oldest continuously operating brewer in North America, and Canada’s second oldest company. I’m confident that this new integrated distribution centre and brewery will enable the company to support more efficiently Quebec’s direct store delivery model, to meet the challenging demands of Quebec markets and remain competitive,” he said.
“The project will be our most modern and forward-looking production facility and distribution centre,” added Matthew Hook, chief supply chain officer, Molson Coors Canada. “The new brewery will be equipped with improved technologies that will allow us to reduce our energy consumption, CO2 emissions and carbon footprint, such as optimized equipment layouts to reduce beer loss and waste, and a state-of-the-art CO2 recovery system.”
“Molson’s arrival is a milestone in Longueuil’s business history and proves without any doubt that our City has established itself as a partner of choice for a company of this magnitude, while also serving as a testament to our economic vitality,” enthused Longueuil Mayor Sylvie Parent.
The location, with an area of more than 140 acres, offers access to high quality water, highways, ports, Hydro-Québec services, natural-gas conduits, as well as a nearby wastewater treatment plant. As such, it meets all of the essential criteria for modern brewing operations.
Photo credit: Molson Coors Canada
Molson Coors Canada will be seeking LEEDS certification, which is consistent with the brewer’s drive for optimal performance standards related to sustainability and respect for our environment. It will be one of the few certified industrial sites in Canada.
The new plant will be the most integrated and agile operation within Molson Coors Canada. It will service the local domestic market and be capable of producing our strong portfolio of beer and non-beer brands, in bottles, cans and kegs. It will be agile and flexible to meet our innovation objectives and will also be capable of taking on export volume for current and future opportunities.
Molson Coors Canada will maintain a presence on Notre-Dame Street; administrative offices will continue to be based at the current site in Montreal and the company will create an experience that helps bring the Molson story to life. In fact, the façade of the new brewery will integrate architectural elements that will be a permanent reminder of the company’s legacy.
A street named after John Molson
Once complete, this exciting project will lead the transformation of our Quebec supply chain, while also creating a positive and valued impact on the surrounding community. While this project will bring about a great amount of exciting change, the company will continue to pay tribute to its history, beginning with the renaming of Romeo Vachon street in Longueuil in honor of John Molson, made possible through the collaboration of the City of Longueuil.
“We are very proud that a flagship company like Molson has chosen Longueuil and its airport zone as the site where it will forge ahead with its future development,” said Longueuil Mayor Sylvie Parent. “Naming the street in honour of its renowned founder is just one way for us to recognize the company’s significant contribution to economic development in Greater Montreal for more than 200 years.”
”We are proud of our heritage and of the fact that the memory of John Molson, the founder, will be preserved. John Molson demonstrated a remarkable blend of entrepreneurship and community spirit and it’s a great honor for our company to continue the work he initiated in 1786” concluded Frederic Landtmeters.
About Molson Coors Canada
Molson Coors Canada is the Canadian business unit of Molson Coors Brewing Company. MCC is North America’s oldest brewer and Canada’s second largest brewer by volume, selling approximately one-third of the total Canadian beer market in 2017. Its portfolio consists of leading brands in all major product and price segments, including global priority brands Belgian Moon, Coors Banquet, and Coors Light, regional champion Molson Canadian, and other key owned brands, including Creemore Springs, Granville Island, Trou du diable, Molson Dry, Molson Export, Old Style Pilsner, and Rickard’s, and strategic distribution partnerships, including those with Heineken. MCC also includes partnership arrangements related to the distribution of beer in Ontario, Brewers’ Retail Inc., and in the Western provinces, Brewers’ Distributor Ltd.
