Sierra Supply Chain Services opens 'state-of-the-art' $65-million facility in Red Hill Business Park

Hamilton may have been built by the steel industry, but the city is now being fed by its burgeoning agri-food sector.

Agri-business is the new steel," said Mayor Fred Eisenberger during the grand opening of the Sierra Supply Chain Service's new $65-million cold storage facility, located in the Red Hill Business Park on Glover Road, Aug. 3.

These businesses produce a lot of food that needs to be marketed. These facilities are key to making sure that happens."

Rob Vanden Broek, chief executive officer for Sierra Supply Chain Services, said the state-of-the-art facility is the first of its kind in Canada.

It will make a difference in the marketplace," he said.

The 65-foot-tall expansion includes nearly 164,000 square feet of storage space and over 36,000 pallet positions for a total of 250,000 square feet, an increase from 93,000 square feet. There will also be about 30,000 square feet of food processing space. Vanden Broek said the processing facility will be completed by the end of September.

Vanden Broek said in an interview that normally, food companies don't combine both food processing and cold storage in the same location because it is not economical for them.

But Sierra decided to combine both systems under one roof to save money, improve time management and minimize the risk of compromising safety, he said.

This is a very efficient facility," said Vanden Broek.

Sierra, which was established in Ontario in 1967, partnered with Ti Cold, a recognized leader in the cold chain industry, and Penta Properties to create the temperature-controlled facility. The facility uses such energy saving systems as Evapcold LCR and a Budzar Modular Engine room.

There are massive savings in energy," said Rob Adams, a partner with Ti Cold.

Construction began on the facility in 2020, despite the spectre of the COVID-19 pandemic.

To continue the investment during the stinking, lousy pandemic, I just want to thank you," said Mountain Coun. Tom Jackson, who represents the area where the facility is located.

Norm Schleehahn, executive director for economic development, said Sierra's investment in the Red Hill Business Park is significant" growth not only for the agri-business sector but for the entire city.

It is a huge part of that food value chain," he said. It's another piece of the puzzle that makes Hamilton attractive to other businesses."

Jackson said over 40 years ago, this part of Hamilton was a ghost town," with hundreds of acres waiting to be developed, but there were few takers.

Now it's growing," he said.

Hamilton's economic development officials say the city has over 120 food and beverage manufacturers, with over 9,500 skilled workers employed. The agri-business contributes about $1 billion annually to the city's economy.

Vander Broek said the Glover Road location was perfect" to grow Sierra's business, especially with other agri-businesses nearby, such as Maple Leaf, Oakrun Farm Bakery and Canada Bread.

It's great to be here," he said.