Gordon Food Service, North America’s largest privately held and family-managed foodservice distribution company, with operations in the U.S. and Canada, announced today that it is seeking approval to construct a new distribution center (DC) in Westfield, Indiana. The proposed site for the company’s new 500,000 square foot facility is located in the NorthPoint Business Park at the northwest corner of Grassy Branch Road and 196th Avenue.
Upon receiving necessary approvals, construction is scheduled to begin in spring 2020 with a projected start-up in late 2021. The new facility will be semi-automated, using mini-loaders, mini-shuttles and conveyors designed to assist staff in moving products quickly and safely through the warehouse.
“Our roots are in the midwest, where our business has steadily increased for decades, and we continue to grow by offering customers great service and an even wider range of products,” says Rich Wolowski, Gordon Food Service President and CEO. “We saw an opportunity to place a new distribution center in a strong, established market, giving us the ability to deliver more efficiently to our customers.”
“It’s an extremely exciting day for Indiana as we celebrate another fantastic company growing in our state and creating hundreds of quality career opportunities for Hoosiers,” said Governor Eric J. Holcomb. “With options all over the Midwest and around the world, Gordon Food Service chose Indiana to launch its new distribution center, and I couldn’t be more grateful. We’ll continue working to take Indiana’s business environment to the next level, ensuring their future success in Indiana.”
The Westfield facility will be the company’s seventeenth distribution center in the United States and its first in Indiana. When the new DC opens it will serve customers in the Greater Indianapolis area. Currently, Gordon Food Service operates distribution centers in Grand Rapids (2) and Brighton (2), Michigan; Springfield, Ohio; Shepherdsville, Kentucky; Kenosha, Wisconsin; Aberdeen, Maryland; Kannapolis, North Carolina; Plant City and Miami, Florida; Coppell and Houston, Texas; Douglasville, Georgia; Taunton, Massachusetts; and Imperial, Pennsylvania; as well as eight distribution centers in Canada. The new facility will include three temperature zones for product storage (freezer, cooler and ambient) and feature a concept kitchen and administrative office space.
“The Westfield facility will be outfitted with the latest technology and warehouse automation innovation,” said Dean Noble, Gordon Food Service Chief Operating Officer. “The robotics and interior layout will greatly reduce manual labor and help ensure the accuracy of orders shipped to our customers.”
“I am thrilled to welcome Gordon Food Service to Westfield,” said Westfield Mayor Andy Cook. “We have worked hard to create a caring community that can attract and sustain this kind of investment. From experience, I am well aware that Gordon Food Service is an employee and community-minded company. They will fit in perfectly here in Westfield.”
Prior to opening, more than 200 people will be hired and trained. The jobs available will include the operation and maintenance of advanced warehouse equipment and robotics, in addition to transportation, sales, and administrative positions. Training programs will be offered to support skills development for the local workforce.
About Gordon Food Service
Since 1897, we have delivered uncompromising quality and heartfelt service for our customers. We began as a simple butter-and-egg delivery service, and have grown to become the largest family business in the foodservice industry by upholding the same approach for over 120 years—remaining passionately committed to the people we serve. Today we serve foodservice operators in the Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, and Southwest regions of the United States and coast-to-coast in Canada. We also operate more than 175 Gordon Food Service Store® locations in the U.S., which are open to the public and provide restaurant-quality products and friendly, knowledgeable service without a membership fee. By partnering with organizations from across industries—healthcare to education, independent and chain restaurants, and event planners—we help our customers create food experiences that people choose, enjoy and remember.
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