Canadian brewing company Molson Coors has started construction of its new brewing facility and distribution centre in Longueuil.

Covering more than 140 acres, the new facility is said to be strategically located and offers access to water, highways, ports, Hydro-Québec services, natural-gas conduits, and a nearby wastewater treatment plant.

The new facility will service the local domestic market and will produce the company’s portfolio of beer and non-beer brands, in bottles, cans and kegs.

Molson Coors Canada chief supply chain officer Matthew Hook said: “The project will be our most modern and forward-looking production facility and distribution centre.

“The new brewery will be equipped with improved technologies that will allow us to reduce our energy consumption, CO2 emissions and carbon footprints, such as optimised equipment layouts to reduce beer loss and waste, and a state-of-the-art CO2 recovery system.”

Molson Coors has selected Pomerleau-Alberici to lead the design and construction of the project.

During the construction phase, the project is expected to create around 500-800 employment opportunities in the region.

Molson Coors Canada president and CEO Frederic Landtmeters said: “Molson Coors Canada is the oldest continuously operating brewer in North America, and Canada’s second oldest company.

“I’m confident that this new integrated distribution centre and brewery will enable the company to support more efficiently Quebec’s direct store delivery model, to meet the challenging demands of Quebec markets and remain competitive.”