Oct. 27, 2009 (PR Newswire) --
PROVIDENCE, R.I., Oct. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- United Natural Foods, Inc. (Nasdaq: UNFI) (the "Company"), the leading national distributor of natural, organic and specialty foods, today announced plans to lease a new 590,000 SF distribution center in Lancaster, Texas. Owned by ProLogis (NYSE: PLD), a leading global provider of distribution facilities, the recently constructed building is strategically located 15 miles south of downtown Dallas at the intersection of Interstates 20 and 35. The facility provides UNFI with an ideal location to support retailers throughout the Southwest including Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arkansas and Louisiana.
Operations are scheduled to commence in the fall of 2010 and, within the first year, the Company expects to employ approximately 130 new associates at the facility. Strategically, the Lancaster distribution center extends UNFI's focus on lowering operating costs in its distribution network; enhancing efficiencies, improving productivity through "best in class" warehousing and inventory control systems as well as reducing Greenhouse gas emissions. The Lancaster facility will be the Company's 21st distribution center in its nationwide distribution network.
Schematic design plans for the new facility are near completion and include: dry grocery as main program space; 54,000 SF of refrigeration and freezer space; an expanded cold dock; and nearly 20,000 SF for employee offices and workspaces. Environmental design plans will focus on resource and energy conservation, use of sustainable and recycled-content building materials, and exceptional indoor air quality for the building occupants. UNFI intends to submit an application to the USGBC for LEED ® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification upon completion of the build out.
Steve Spinner, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Focused on extending our market share and enhancing growth opportunities, this new distribution center will augment our growing presence in the Southwestern United States. Additionally, by transferring distribution routes from our Denver facility to Lancaster, we will be reducing greenhouse gas and CO2 emissions, improving service levels to customers in this region and enhancing overall operating efficiencies."
Commenting on UNFI's announcement, Marcus Knight, Mayor of the City of Lancaster stated, "Lancaster is delighted to be the home of UNFI's newest distribution center. We are all counting on this new partnership with UNFI to be one of long term mutual benefit and a terrific addition to the many corporations represented in Lancaster.
