The Familiprix group of pharmacists receives $30 million in assistance from the Quebec government to almost double the surface area of its automated distribution centers in the provincial capital.
The project, which also includes modernization of IT infrastructure, is valued at $76 million and should create 230 jobs over a five-year period.
The announcement was made this morning in Quebec in the presence of elected officials. The interest-bearing loan granted by the government comes from the ESSOR program, managed by Investissement Québec.
Familiprix wants to support its growth by increasing its distribution capacity and speeding up order processing, then by developing e-commerce.
“By increasing its drug distribution capacity, Familiprix will be able to remain competitive in a changing market environment. It fully meets the strategic objective of our government: to maintain quality and accessible health care and services for the population,” said Christopher Skeete, Minister Delegate for the Economy.
In 2016, Familiprix began automating operations at the distribution center to increase efficiency.
“There, we are expanding the automated warehouse by 42,000 square feet. We are almost doubling the surface area to meet the growing demand from our affiliated pharmacists. In 2016, there were 325-350, now there are 431, so we have to expand,” explained the president of Familiprix, Albert Falardeau, who aims to bring together 500 pharmacists within the next five years.
Founded in 1980, Familiprix brings together pharmacies in Quebec and New Brunswick, where growth will continue. Ontario’s Francophone communities are also in his sights.
The organization’s two distribution centers and its head office are located in Quebec City, where 650 people work, out of the 7,000 in the network of affiliated pharmacies.