New lululemon facility strengthens Brampton’s position as Canada’s logistics hub

The opening of lululemon’s massive new distribution centre is the latest sign that Brampton is cementing its reputation as one of Canada’s leading logistics and supply chain hubs.

City officials joined executives from the Vancouver-based athletic apparel company on Wednesday (July 8) to officially open the one-million-sq-ft facility at 5525 Countryside Dr. in northeast Brampton. The distribution centre is among the largest facilities of its kind in North America. It features Canada’s largest AutoStore installation, bringing advanced robotics and automation technology to the company’s North American supply chain.

The facility, first announced in 2023, is now lululemon’s largest distribution centre in Canada and the United States.

Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown said the investment highlights why Brampton continues to attract major employers.

“Lululemon’s continued investment in Brampton is a strong endorsement of our city’s economic strength, skilled workforce and ability to support major global operations,” Brown said. “This transformed facility supports the current workforce, drives innovation and reinforces Brampton’s position as a leader in logistics and advanced manufacturing.”

The opening is another milestone for a city that has increasingly become a destination for warehousing, distribution and manufacturing operations because of its proximity to major highways, rail lines, Toronto Pearson International Airport and one of North America’s largest consumer markets.

Brampton is already home to distribution and logistics operations for some of the world’s largest retailers, manufacturers and transportation companies. In recent years, the city has attracted billions of dollars in industrial investment while continuing to expand its advanced manufacturing and supply chain sectors.

Projects such as lululemon’s distribution centre helped earn Brampton recognition from Site Selection Magazine as one of North America’s leading investment destinations. The city also recorded more than $2 billion in construction value in 2022, reflecting significant growth in industrial and commercial development.

Inside the new campus, automation plays a central role.

The facility’s AutoStore system uses a fleet of robots to retrieve inventory from densely packed storage bins, enabling more efficient picking and shipping while increasing storage capacity and improving fulfillment speed. Company officials say the technology also strengthens the resilience of lululemon’s North American distribution network as customer demand continues to grow.

“The development of the Brampton Distribution Centre is a testament to the partnership we built with the City of Brampton,” said Ted Dagnese, Chief Supply Chain Officer at lululemon. “We are proud of our Canadian roots and with this facility, our capabilities are reaching new heights and further enhancing our distribution network in Canada and the U.S.”

Although earlier reports suggested construction would create approximately 1,500 new jobs, the company has since clarified that the project is designed to strengthen and modernize its existing distribution network while creating career pathways for current employees, rather than representing new positions.

City officials say investments in automation, robotics and advanced logistics technology are helping position Brampton as a leader in the next generation of supply chain operations.

The Economic Development Office worked with lululemon throughout the planning and development process, assisting with site approvals while connecting the company with municipal services, transit and community partners as the project moved toward completion.

With one of North America’s largest automated distribution centres now operating in Brampton, city officials say the investment further reinforces the community’s growing role as a centre for logistics, advanced manufacturing and innovation.