Amazon Canada opens its most technologically advanced robotics facility in the country

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Amazon Canada

Oct 21, 2022, 15:12 ET

One of five of its kind globally, Amazon's newest fulfillment center in Barrhaven, Ontario, will create more than 2,500 jobs

OTTAWA, ON, Oct. 21, 2022 /CNW/ - Today, Amazon Canada celebrated the opening of its newest and most advanced robotics facility, YOW3, in Barrhaven, Ontario. The only facility of its kind in Canada, and one of only five globally, YOW3 will create more than 2,500 jobs and offer an opportunity for employees to work alongside some of the company's most cutting-edge technology.

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"Today is a huge milestone for Amazon as we celebrate the opening of our most technologically advanced robotics facility in the country," said Harsh Khaitan, Amazon Canada's regional director of operations. "We're thrilled to expand our decade-long presence in Canada through our third facility in the Ottawa area, and we are excited to continue creating jobs for the local community."

Advanced Technology

Spanning more than 2.6 million square feet across four floors, YOW3 will store up to 20 million items at a time. Operating among these items are Amazon's ROBIN, RWC4, and Kermit robots, each designed to improve employee experience by enhancing safety and productivity:

  • ROBIN: A robotic arm that can segment, grasp, manipulate, identify, and place a package onto a sort bot, improving the employee experience by supporting employees with repetitive tasks.
  • RWC4: A robotic arm that sorts totes, the logistical units of an Amazon facility centre, by destination and builds pallets.
  • Kemit: A trolley that focuses on towing empty totes throughout the facility and can adjust its speed and route as needed.

"By using robots, we can help employees with tasks that involve heavy lifting or repetitive movements," Khaitan said. "We pilot and implement technology with the goal of increasing safety, improving our employee experience, and delivering for our customers."

Other unique technologies in the facility include Canadian-made semi-automated pack stations, more than 12 kilometers of conveyor belts, and semi-automated stow stations.

Job Creation and Career Opportunities

As part of its mission to become Earth's Best Employer and Earth's Safest Place to Work, Amazon provides full-time operations employees with access to educational opportunities through upskilling programs. One of those programs is Career Choice, which offers to prepay up to 95% of tuition costs for courses related to in-demand fields. New employees will make a starting wage of between $19.00 and $21.00 per hour, receive a robust benefits package, and have access to career training opportunities.

''This new state-of-the-art fulfillment centre has created thousands of jobs in Ottawa. I'm confident that we will build on this momentum and continue to attract investment and jobs from other global companies, cementing Ottawa's reputation as an ideal logistics and distribution hub.'' said Mayor Jim Watson.

For more information about current job openings in Ottawa, visit amazon.com/ottawahourlyjobs. Information about other job openings in Ontario and across Canada is available by visiting amazondelivers.jobs/canada or by signing up to be the first to hear about jobs at amazon.com/tc.

About Amazon

Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Amazon strives to be Earth's Most Customer-Centric Company, Earth's Best Employer, and Earth's Safest Place to Work. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Career Choice, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, Alexa, Just Walk Out technology, Amazon Studios, and The Climate Pledge are some of the things pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit amazon.com/about and follow @AmazonNews.

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Amazon Canada