Gordon Food Service, Grand Rapids, Mich., broke ground on a new distribution center in Ajax, Ontario, Canada.

“We’re very excited about growing in the greater Toronto area and our overall business in Ontario,” says Lisa MacNeil, president of the Ontario division. “We began doing business in this area in the early 1990s, and while our business has now expanded coast-to-coast in Canada, Ontario will always be a big part of our company history. We also know there are very talented people here, who we hope will join us in our efforts when the new distribution center opens next year.”

Maple Reinders, Canada, is responsible for the construction of the 342,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art warehouse, which will support the distribution of foodservice products across Ontario. It will contain numerous automated features, including product selection, sorting and truck loading.

Gordon Food Service anticipates the facility being operational early in 2020.

“This new distribution center is a symbol of something bigger for us,” says MacNeil. “It’s a critical support to our business, which is about providing timely and accurate product delivery service to customers in the foodservice industry. While it is exciting to build a new facility, our long-term vision is centered on people, and we look forward to building enduring relationships with the community of Ajax and the surrounding areas.”