November 01, 2023 | Category: Member News

Vancouver, BC—November 1, 2023—Sobeys Inc., one of Canada’s two national grocery retailers, is the newest addition to the Western Transportation Advisory Council (WESTAC). Sobeys is a wholly owned subsidiary of Empire Company Limited.

With more than 115 years of experience in the food retail business, Sobeys has 1,500 stores in all ten provinces (450 in Western Canada) under retail banners that include Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland, FreshCo, Thrifty Foods and Lawtons Drugs. It also has over 350 retail fuel locations and 28 distribution centres, 12 of which are in Western Canada.

"The addition of Sobeys brings an enhanced shipper perspective to the Council. Their unique strengths and industry insights will elevate the collaborative discussion further, particularly related to the significance of our north-south trade corridors," said Lindsay Kislock, President & CEO of WESTAC.

The Official Representative will be Jody Fitzpatrick, Vice President, Integrated Supply Chain & Ontario RSC Network. The Alternate Representatives will be Yves Bélanger, Senior Vice President, Supply Chain, and Rob Tostowaryk, Vice President, Distribution, West.

 “Empire is excited to join this inspiring group between industry, government and labour. We truly believe in collaboration to drive supply chain integration & synergies with partners. We are excited to share a large national shipper’s perspective so we can continue working together to strengthen Canadian supply chains,” said Jody Fitzpatrick, Vice President, Integrated Supply Chain & Ontario RSC Network.

—30—

 

About Sobeys Inc.
Sobeys Inc. is the second-largest supermarket chain in Canada. Established in 1907, Sobeys is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Empire Company Limited. Sobeys is headquartered in Stellarton, NS, with a national office in Mississauga, ON and regional offices in Edmonton, Mississauga, Montreal and Stellarton.

 

About WESTAC
WESTAC is a council of organizations in the transportation sector represented by senior decision-makers. WESTAC's members span all aspects of freight transportation in Canada. They include carriers and logistics providers, ports and terminals, shippers, labour unions, and three levels of government. Members represent a significant share of the Western Canadian economy. We focus on critical issues that affect Western Canada's freight transportation network to ensure that it is safe, efficient, reliable, and competitive.