By Ian Holmes

Nanaimo’s vehicle processing centre represents new industry with growth potential, operators say

Apr 9, 2019 | 1:45 PM

NANAIMO — A newly opened vehicle processing and storage facility in Nanaimo could bring as many as 100 full-time jobs to the Harbour City.

The Vehicle Processing Centre (VPC) at the Nanaimo Assembly Wharf will see thousands Mercedes-Benz vehicles delivered to Nanaimo this year, according to Dave Lucas, senior vice president of Western Stevedoring.

Lucas, speaking for the firm which manages the VPC, said he already senses demand from suitors beyond Mercedes-Benz.

“We would hope by the end of the year we have a better sense of whether we can bring in additional customers to this facility. Once they’ve seen the shipping route and short sea shipping route to the Lower Mainland established.”

A grand opening ceremony held at the storage facility Tuesday was told Mercedes-Benz vehicles shipped from Germany and through the Panama Canal are now arriving in Nanaimo.

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Those vehicles are then distributed to their 11 dealerships around the province.

Lucas said initially 40 full-time jobs are being supported, ranging from on-site staff, truckers and longshoremen.

He said future planned expansion to the facility could see about 100 jobs directly associated with the VPC.

Lucas noted Nanaimo is well positioned for this type of business since a lack of land and the high cost of holding vehicles in the Vancouver area restricts growth in that market.

Andrew Noye, vice president of sales for Mercedes-Benz Canada, said they plan to increase their number of vehicles to be shipped to Nanaimo.

“The idea would be that we make sure that we’re serving B.C. the best we can, and then after that potential expansion to the Prairies and further,” Noye said.

Noye said their growth projections involve introducing electric vehicles to their 59 Canadian dealerships next year.

A thrilled Port of Nanaimo CEO Ian Marr said adding vehicle storage and distribution to their portfolio diversifies the regional economy.

“This one will be constant, for the near future it’ll be two ships a month…We’ll see how the volume goes as it’s all about sales,” Marr said.

Marr believed planned expansion to the VPC to the south toward the former Western Forest Products mill site is just a matter of time.

“With a name plate like Mercedes on it they know it gets done right if they’re doing it. I think other manufacturers will go ‘Okay, this is viable and it does make sense.’”

Last June the federal government announced $6.3 million toward building the VPC, which was quickly followed by the construction phase.

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes