As online shopping continues to surge in popularity in light of COVID-19, eCommerce giants like Amazon are constantly growing.
And it appears the Seattle-based eCommerce giant will further expand its Canadian footprint with the addition of two new fulfillment centres in Ajax and Hamilton and five new delivery stations confirmed for Kitchener, Stoney Creek, Vaughan, Etobicoke, and Scarborough.
Amazon announced Wednesday that the new fulfillment centres are anticipated to open in 2021 and will create more than 2,500 new, full-time jobs with competitive hourly wages, comprehensive benefits and an industry-leading workplace. This will bring Amazon’s total to 10 fulfillment centres in Ontario and 16 in Canada.
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“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 square-foot fulfillment centre in Hamilton, more than 1,500 employees will have the opportunity to work alongside Amazon robotics to pick, pack, and ship small items to customers such as books, electronics, and toys.
Fred Eisenberger, Mayor of the City of Hamilton, says he's thankful Amazon Canada is investing in the local community.
“This further highlights that Hamilton remains the top destination in the province to grow, innovate, and do business. I am pleased that this significant investment will create 1,500 full-time jobs. This is the beginning of a strong partnership with Amazon Canada, and I look forward to our continued collaboration in the future.”
Ajax Fulfillment Centre
At this new one-million-square-foot fulfillment centre, more than 1,000 employees will 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 Hon. 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."
New Delivery Stations
Five new delivery stations will also be launching 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, while the Stoney Creek, Scarborough, and Vaughan sites will launch in 2021.
The new delivery stations will create hundreds of permanent, full-time and part-time jobs, in addition to offering entrepreneurs the opportunity to build their own small business delivering Amazon packages, and independent contractors the flexibility to be their own boss and create their own schedule delivering for Amazon Flex.
