Groupe Touchette Cements Western Canada Strategy with Massive Winnipeg Expansion

WINNIPEG, MB – June 19, 2026 – In a significant move that reinforces Winnipeg’s critical role in Canada's national supply chain, Groupe Touchette has officially completed a major expansion of its distribution centre. The project increases the company’s operational footprint in the city to 176,000 square feet, solidifying its commitment to Western Canada and enhancing its capacity to serve the region's vital industries.

This latest investment, located in the strategic inland port of CentrePort, is the tire distributor's third major growth project in the Winnipeg market since first establishing a presence in 2015. It represents a calculated bet on the region's economic future and a direct response to escalating demand across the passenger, commercial, and agricultural transportation sectors.

Winnipeg’s Ascent as a Logistics Superhub

Groupe Touchette’s expansion is more than just a corporate milestone; it’s a powerful endorsement of Winnipeg's strategic importance as a continental logistics hub. The facility is situated within CentrePort Canada, a 20,000-acre trimodal inland port and Foreign Trade Zone that is one of the largest in North America. This location provides unparalleled access to three Class I railways, a 24/7 international air cargo airport, and a nexus of major trucking routes connecting Canada, the United States, and Mexico.

By leveraging CentrePort’s unique infrastructure, Groupe Touchette can significantly improve the efficiency and reach of its distribution network. The inland port's status as a Foreign Trade Zone offers streamlined customs processes, while its direct access to major transportation corridors ensures rapid movement of goods across Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and beyond. The expansion allows the company to capitalize on Winnipeg’s geographic advantage at the heart of the continent, strengthening supply chains that are critical for the national economy. This move is indicative of a broader trend where national distributors are increasingly recognizing and investing in the robust logistical ecosystem that CentrePort and the province of Manitoba have cultivated.

A Strategic Play in a Competitive Market

This expansion is the latest chapter in Groupe Touchette's decade-long strategic investment in Western Canada. Since opening its doors in Winnipeg in 2015, the company has consistently scaled its operations, including the opening of a 100,000-square-foot facility in 2020. This sustained growth trajectory is fueled by both organic market demand and a series of strategic acquisitions.

Notably, the 2022 acquisition of National Tire Distributors (NTD) significantly expanded Groupe Touchette's national scale, creating an immediate need for greater warehousing and distribution capacity in key markets like Manitoba. The Winnipeg expansion, first announced in January 2024, is the direct fulfillment of that strategic imperative. In a market with formidable competitors like Fountain Tire and Kal Tire, this move solidifies Groupe Touchette’s position as the largest Canadian-owned tire distributor. Interestingly, the company has also shown a capacity for collaboration, signing a strategic distribution agreement with OK Tire in May 2025 to enhance service offerings, demonstrating a nuanced approach to market dynamics.

The Canadian tire market itself is on a steady growth path, projected to expand at a CAGR of 3.58% through 2032, driven by rising vehicle ownership and robust commercial activity. Groupe Touchette's investment positions it to capture a significant share of this growth, particularly in the technologically advancing sectors of eco-friendly, run-flat, and smart tires.

Reinforcing the Backbone of Western Canadian Industry

The immediate impact of the expanded facility will be felt across Western Canada's most critical industries. With increased inventory capacity and improved SKU availability, Groupe Touchette can provide more resilient and responsive support to the agricultural sector, commercial fleets, and independent tire retailers. For agricultural businesses, this means better access to specialized tires during critical planting and harvest seasons, minimizing costly downtime. For commercial transportation operators, it translates to faster service and a more reliable supply of tires, keeping fleets on the road and goods moving.

While the company has not released specific figures on job creation for this project, such a significant expansion in logistics inherently stimulates local employment. Openings for roles like order pickers, delivery drivers, and warehouse personnel are a natural consequence of scaling up operations. This contributes to both direct and indirect economic benefits for the Winnipeg region, supporting a network of local businesses that rely on the logistics sector. The expansion is a tangible investment in the operational efficiency that underpins the region's economic vitality.

Anatomy of a Landmark Expansion

The project involved the construction of approximately 100,000 square feet of additional space, bringing the total building size to 206,000 square feet. Of this, Groupe Touchette will dedicate 176,000 square feet to its own tire distribution operations, with the remaining 30,000 square feet becoming available for lease—a move that adds valuable industrial capacity to the CentrePort area.

The journey from announcement to completion was swift and deliberate. Following the land acquisition and project announcement in early 2024, construction commenced in the spring of that year, culminating in the fully operational facility today. This efficient execution underscores the company's focus and the streamlined development environment fostered by CentrePort.

As the tire industry continues to evolve, this infrastructure provides Groupe Touchette with the flexibility and scale needed to adapt. "This expansion represents an investment in our people, our customers and the long-term success of the region," said Paul Hyshka, Vice President of Independent Sales at Groupe Touchette. "Winnipeg remains an important market for Groupe Touchette, and we look forward to growing alongside the communities and businesses we serve."