United Natural Foods, Inc. has announced that it is breaking ground on a new distribution center, just north of Sarasota, Florida. The DC replaces an aging facility and will incorporate the latest in leading warehouse technology to increase efficiency in selecting, packing, and loading processes, according to UNFI.
The distributor is working with JLL, Broadstone Net Lease, Inc., Sansone Group, and ARCO Design/Build in the building of the DC. The warehouse will have more than one million square feet of capacity and incorporate some of the latest technology and automation, including KNAPP re-pack automation, which is expected to improve service levels to customers while reducing the cost to fill orders.
The warehouse will be fully air conditioned and feature natural daylighting concepts and dimmable lighting, as well as a water filtration system.
“Distribution is our core business, so when we build a new distribution center we want to incorporate as much automation and technology as possible to improve our ability to service our customers while simultaneously lowering our costs to do so,” said Erin Horvath, COO of UNFI, in a statement. She added, “we are also very excited about providing a working environment designed around the needs of both our customers and our associates.”
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