Deloitte unveils ‘first-of-its-kind’ smart factory and warehouse in Canada

Deloitte Canada has opened what it says is a first-of-its-kind facility showcasing an interconnected ecosystem of more than 20 cutting-edge solutions and technologies and intent on transforming manufacturing and warehousing through digital transformation.

The facility has been named The Smart Factory @ Montreal.

Anthony Viel, CEO of Deloitte Canada, says: “As Canada’s largest professional services firm, we care about the future of the country.

“We believe that projects like this will fundamentally transform our economy – and society – and set Canada on a better path. We are proud to leverage our globally recognized expertise in warehousing and manufacturing to establish this unique and innovative facility.

“By combining Deloitte’s consulting expertise with valuable software and equipment donations from leading-edge sponsors, The Smart Factory @ Montreal is showing how Canada can lead in the fourth industrial revolution.”

Spanning over 9,000 square feet, The Smart Factory @ Montreal is designed to showcase the possibilities of automation to run production lines, efficiently store and move inventory, as well as track inbound and outbound shipments.

In its first year of operation, the state-of-the-art facility is expected to draw hundreds of national and global business leaders to expose them to revolutionary ways of working in order to maximize efficiencies.

According to the 2022 Material Handling Institute’s Annual Industry Report released in collaboration with Deloitte, the top three supply chain company challenges faced by businesses are potential supply chain disruptions and shortages, hiring and retaining qualified workers, and customer demands for faster response time.

The Smart Factory @ Montreal leverages the latest technologies and practices to address these challenges expeditiously and at the best possible cost to clients.

The report also shows that the pandemic has accelerated supply chain transformation for 78 per cent of companies, particularly for those operating in the realm of e-commerce. Several use cases shown in The Smart Factory @ Montreal will address this challenge and identify potential technologies to lead in this space with affordable investments.

Geneviève Provost, managing partner, Quebec and National Capital Region for Deloitte, says: “Today’s customer expectations are higher than ever before.

“With increasing access to information, products, and services, consumers have come to expect a seamless and personalized experience throughout the entire buying journey.

“By implementing advanced technologies, businesses can improve their efficiency and speed of execution, thereby enhancing the overall customer experience by providing faster delivery times, accurate tracking and inventory management, and overall improved satisfaction.

“We are thrilled to have this facility located in Quebec, which is expected to attract visitors and business leaders from around the world and boost our local economy.”

Using cutting-edge industry 4.0 technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), sensors, robotics, internet of things (IoT), big data, cloud and edge applications, The Smart Factory @ Montreal demonstrates how digital supply networks are transforming supply chains away from siloed functions into an interconnected ecosystem that is both seamless and transparent.

Operating in real-time with the additional information provided by accelerated connectivity, these new dynamic manufacturing and warehousing digital networks strengthen supply chain agility and empower companies to make rapid and optimal decisions.

Alan Taliaferro, Deloitte partner and leader, The Smart Factory @ Montreal, says: “Canadian businesses tend to be sized for the Canadian market but are often competing against multinationals that have extensive resources and sophisticated systems.

“This space provides an opportunity to support Canadian businesses by enabling them to learn about, and experiment with, an array of live smart technologies in a fully automated factory and warehouse. By setting stretch goals and embracing change, Canadian businesses will have the opportunity to learn how to achieve a competitive edge in both local and global markets.”

The Smart Factory @ Montreal is supported with leading technological solutions provided by Cisco, Cloudrail, Cosme, CPP, E2 Solutions, EYESEE, Finloc, GKC Architects, KPI, Noovelia, NuMove Robotics & Vision, Pacefactory, Packpro, RG Group, SAP, Siemens, TeamViewer, and Vecna Robotics.