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LONGUEUIL, Quebec — The Jean Coutu Group says it will relocate its headquarters and distribution center in Longueuil, Quebec, to larger facilities that will be built in Varennes.
The Canadian drug chain said construction of the Varennes facilities, which will total 800,000 square feet, is slated to start in 2014. The 3 million-square-foot site is in a Montreal suburb north of Longueuil near Autoroute 30.
According to the company, the space currently used by Jean Coutu Group operations (in Longueuil’s industrial park since 1976) no longer supports the needs of its franchised drug store network.
The new facilities, which represent a $190 million (Canadian) investment, will allow the Coutu Group to operate more efficiently and better serve its store network, the company said.
“In a context of continued growth, it became essential for us to expand our facilities, which was impossible on the site we presently occupy because of the lack of space,” François Coutu, president and chief executive officer of Jean Coutu Group, said in a statement. “The facilities in Varennes will be at the cutting edge of technology, guaranteeing high standards of productivity and enhanced performance. This project also confirms our determination to pursue our efforts to grow while offering a pleasant and secure working environment to all our employees.”
Plans call for Jean Coutu Group to begin transferring its Longueuil operations to the new site in early 2016. Then the employees of the Jean Coutu Group and its Information Technology Center will be gradually moved to the new facilities.
Jean Coutu Group’s retail network includes 407 franchised stores in Quebec, New Brunswick and Ontario under the banners PJC Jean Coutu, PJC Clinique, PJC Santé and PJC Santé Beauté.
Most of the company’s revenue stems from merchandise sales to franchisees through its two distribution centers (in Longueuil and in Hawkesbury, Ontario) and from franchising activities.
