The business has invested more than $100m into the 500,000-square foot facility, particularly its blast cell cold storage capabilities which are designed to strengthen the company’s supply chain to better serve customers globally.
“We are experiencing an exciting time of growth and this new distribution center will help us continue to optimize our footprint,” said Kenneth M. Sullivan, president and chief executive officer for Smithfield Foods. “More than 10,000 Smithfield Family members already call North Carolina home, and we’re proud that our investment in this project will create even more jobs. We look forward to welcoming new employees into our family.”
The Tar Heel distribution center has already begun making shipments and will be fully operational by Jan. 2019.
The new facility features nearly 50,000 pallet positions and has an annual capacity of more than one billion pounds. It will also optimize Smithfield Foods’ transportation and distribution network to lower fuel usage, cut transportation costs, and improve delivery times. It is located adjacent to one of the company’s meat processing facilities, which is the largest pork plant in the world, and produces fresh pork products for customers in the US and across the globe.
“This new distribution centre exemplifies Smithfield’s unwavering commitment to continuously improving its operations,” said Dennis Organ, senior vice president of supply chain for Smithfield Foods. “While providing best-in-class customer service, we’re reducing the distance our products travel, which shrinks our carbon footprint and positions us to achieve our long-term sustainability goals.”
“Smithfield’s investment in this new facility is yet another example of the company’s role as an economic driver for our state,” added North Carolina Senator Bill Rabon. “In addition to providing thousands of well-paying jobs, the company and its people regularly support charitable causes that improve the lives of fellow North Carolinians. Smithfield continues to be a great partner of the Tar Heel State.”
