ST. LOUIS — Save-A-Lot, one of the nation’s leading hard-discount grocery retailers and a wholly owned subsidiary of SUPERVALU (NYSE: SVU), today announced plans to build a new 325,000 square foot distribution center in Lexington, North Carolina. The project is the result of collaboration with the state of North Carolina and its One North Carolina Fund, the North Carolina Department of Commerce, Davidson County and the City of Lexington.
Save-A-Lot operates approximately 1,200 stores in 39 states, and has identified plans to double the number of stores it operates nationally over the next five years. Currently, the company operates 17 stores in North Carolina, including one in Lexington, with plans to open an additional eight stores in the state this year, as well as six stores in South Carolina. The new distribution center, a $24 million project, will help support the company’s growth plans in North Carolina and the surrounding region, which the company has identified as a key region for growth.
“The Lexington distribution center will enable us to serve our current stores more efficiently and at the same time, grow our business in the region,” said Bill Shaner, Save-A-Lot president and CEO. “I’d like to thank Governor Perdue; Chairman Max Walser and the Davidson County Commissioners; and Mayor John Walser and the City of Lexington for their work and diligence in providing the opportunity to locate our distribution center in this beautiful city. I believe this will be a wonderful partnership for Save-A-Lot, Lexington and the region.”
The new facility will be located in Lexington’s Business Center and is scheduled to open in December 2011. It is expected to employ more than 40 employees initially with the potential for hiring additional employees once the facility is at full capacity.
Steve Googe, executive director of the Davidson County EDC, said of the announcement, “We have worked with Save-A-Lot for a number of years, and the investment and jobs they bring to the community are of great value to us during these economic times. Save-A-Lot is an outstanding corporate citizen, and we look forward to their involvement in the community and the value a Fortune 100 company brings to our community image.”
The new building will be a state-of-the-art food distribution center utilizing the latest in green technologies, including lights that only operate when a person is present and an HVAC system that uses smart thermostats.
Source: Save-A-Lot Food Stores
