GCL brings logistics leaders to Montreal for its 16th Forum Logistique

GCL will host the 16th edition of Forum Logistique on Nov. 16-17, 2026, at Montreal’s Hôtel Bonaventure, bringing together supply chain and logistics executives for 10 conferences and 8 networking sessions. The program centers on automation, AI, operational efficiency and technology adoption, with speakers from Groupe Robert, PACCAR, Winpak, Stella-Jones and others.

Why it matters: - The Forum Logistique gives supply chain and logistics leaders a place to compare operating strategies, technology choices and transformation projects. - The 2026 agenda focuses on issues that are reshaping logistics performance: automation, artificial intelligence, network efficiency and change management. - More than 200 participants are expected from logistics and manufacturing, according to GCL. - GCL says the event has a satisfaction rate above 95%, which signals repeat value for executives and operators.

What happened: - GCL will hold the 16th edition of Forum Logistique on Nov. 16-17, 2026, at Hôtel Bonaventure in Montreal. - The two-day event includes 10 conferences and 8 networking sessions. - GCL says the forum is built around innovation, collaboration and transformation. - Executives from Groupe Robert, PACCAR, Winpak, SPI Santé Sécurité, Stella-Jones, Deschênes, Groupe Marcelle, Browns and Renwil will present internal projects. - GCL experts and technology firms DBC and Generix are also on the program. - The forum runs from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on both days. - Admission includes breakfast, snacks, lunch and access to the networking cocktail. - Regular pricing is $599 for one day and $899 for both days, plus tax. - The full program and registration details are available on GCL’s forum page.

The details: - GCL built the agenda around four questions for operations leaders: how to build an integrated logistics strategy, how to measure operating efficiency, how to use AI and automation for forecasting, inventory and transport, and how to support teams through technology adoption. - Martin Nijdam, GCL’s director of digital supply chain, and Alex-Sandra Mailhot, a senior consultant in digital transformation logistics, will lead the flagship interactive session, “Le radar des innovations logistiques.” - That session will cover automation, AI applied to supply chain, ROI calculations and market benchmarking, with live polls and real-time discussion. - Groupe Robert and PACCAR will jointly present their operational excellence work. - Groupe Robert has been providing logistics services for 80 years and will share the decisions, lessons and results from its work. - Pierre Beaulieu, vice president of Automotive and Aerospace Operations, and Josée Charbonneau, senior director of operational excellence, will present with Jean-Sébastien Moukhtar, material director at PACCAR. - Eric Labelle, general manager of Winpak Heat Seal and Winpak Control Group, will present a multisite transformation case centered on moving from a fragmented, reactive model to an integrated one aligned with sales and operations. - Linda Duhamel, vice president of operations at SPI Santé Sécurité, will present the company’s warehouse expansion project and the planning required to grow without losing efficiency. - Dino Kuy, a logistics optimization analyst formerly with BMR, will discuss the eCube pilot used to test a transport decarbonization technology in a real commercial setting. - Stella-Jones and DBC will present Stella-Jones’ digital transition in two phases: the rollout of SAP S/4HANA and the deployment of S&OP and MRP processes. - Steve Larocque, vice president of information technology at Stella-Jones, Manon St-Jacques, partner and vice president of professional services at DBC, and Félix Chouinard, business analyst at DBC, will share the lessons. - Deschênes & Fils will present transformation work in its Quebec division, including SAP implementation and warehouse consolidation. - Nathalie Guenette, director of operations, and Julie Tremblay, supervisor of systems and inventory management, will describe the decisions made and the trade-offs involved. - Groupe Marcelle will discuss bringing e-commerce order fulfillment in-house after relying on an outside logistics provider for several years before launching the project in 2023. - Jean-Philippe Godin, senior director of supply chain, and Philippe Proulx, senior director of operational excellence, will outline the reasons, stages and gains. - Browns and Generix will present a retailer-software perspective on gradual system modernization and the role of artificial intelligence. - Philippe Chevalier, senior director of logistics and continuous improvement at Browns, and Han-Li Tremblay, key account manager at Generix, will lead that session. - Renwil will present the key steps in building its new Châteauguay warehouse, including racking selection, operational launch and strategic advice. - GCL supported Renwil through each step of that project, and Patricia Sabapathy, Renwil’s executive director of operations, will present the case. - The forum’s partners include Generix as platinum partner and CargoM as bronze partner.

Between the lines: - The lineup shows GCL is using the forum to turn operational transformation into peer-to-peer learning, not just vendor presentations. - The mix of manufacturers, distributors, retailers and logistics providers suggests the same themes are pressuring different parts of the supply chain. - AI and automation appear as practical tools here, with ROI, forecasting and workforce adoption framed as the real decision points. - The emphasis on case studies suggests attendees are looking for implementation guidance, not theory.

What's next: - GCL will publish the program and registration details ahead of the Nov. 16-17 event. - The forum will bring together executives and practitioners in Montreal for two days of sessions and networking. - The featured companies will use the event to share outcomes from projects already underway or recently completed.

The bottom line: - GCL is positioning Forum Logistique 2026 as a working session for supply chain leaders who want practical lessons on transformation, technology and execution.