UNFI will optimize its distribution center network in the Pacific Northwest, including consolidating five distribution centers into a new 1.2 million-square-foot facility in Centralia, Washington and a newly expanded facility in Ridgefield, Washington.
According to Supermarket News, the goal of the expansion is to enhance customer product offerings, create more efficient inventory management, streamline operations and incorporate best-in-class technology to deliver a better customer experience. In addition, the optimization will also help deliver meaningful synergies contemplated in the acquisition of Supervalu.
With a developer in Centralia, UNFI will construct a 1.2 million-square foot distribution center. the site is located in close proximity to two existing UNFI DCs in Tacoma and Portland. In additional, UNFI will also expand its Ridgefield facility by 541,000 square feet to provide capacity for its growing customer base. The facility will deploy a warehouse automation solution that supports the company's slow-moving SKU portfolio, Supermarket News reports.
"These are two tremendous facilities that, once complete, will provide a great working environment for our associates, an improved and efficient layout for inventory management, optimized logistics route planning and an ability to help us deliver on the long-term synergy goals we outlined as a part of the Supervalu acquisition," says said Steve Spinner, UNFI Chairman and CEO.
Both facilities are expected to be fully operational later this year, with customer transition completed in early 2020.
