Penske Logistics Opens New Michigan Fresh Distribution Center in Romulus to Serve The Kroger Co. of Michigan
June 04, 2019
Penske Logistics celebrated the grand opening of its new 606,000-square-foot build-to-suit standard freezer/cooler distribution center in Romulus, Michigan, June 4, 2019. Penske’s new facility is responsible for bringing more than 400 new jobs to the region and was opened to serve the food distribution needs of its customer, The Kroger Co. of Michigan.
<p>“Our new distribution center to serve Kroger’s needs is fully operational,” said Marc Althen, president, Penske Logistics. “We are dedicated to providing customers with the state-of-the-art facilities they need to serve their own customers. The successful completion of this project would not have been possible without the support of Kroger, InSite Real Estate, ARCO Design/Build Inc., City of Romulus, Wayne County, Detroit Aerotropolis, Michigan Economic Development Corporation, and our highly valued associates. We sincerely appreciate and thank everyone for the strong collaboration and spirit of partnership on this project. We look forward to being a bigger part of the growing business community here in Romulus.”</p><p><img class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="5e112cf1617b32056b0949f0ab7a379f" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="ed7b0" type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yMTk5NDQ5Mi9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYxNTA3NTE0Nn0.Ch8tTJyy7ttYMLi1bgCxVgOjFo9sUoJeUlUIxpW5E-8/img.jpg?width=980"/></p><p>InSite Real Estate led construction of the $98.5 million facility, which began in the fall of 2017 and concluded in the fall of 2018. Local on-site Penske Logistics management and workers were then gradually hired as food and beverage products were strategically moved into the facility.</p><p>A grant from the Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF), as well as tax incentive abatements requested through the Detroit Aerotropolis from the City of Romulus, and Wayne County played integral roles in the job creation and facility site selection.</p><p>“Penske Logistics’ decision to choose Romulus for this expansion project over competing states underscores both the appeal and economic strength of Michigan as a place to do business,” said Jeff Mason, CEO of Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), the state’s chief marketing and business attraction arm that administers programs and performs due diligence on behalf of the MSF. “We are grateful to join the Detroit Region Aerotropolis Development Corporation, the city of Romulus and Wayne County in helping to drive Penske’s expansion here in Southeast Michigan. This project is creating hundreds of jobs for our citizens, and we look forward to continuing to work with the company as it grows further and brings more jobs to Michigan.”</p><p><span class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="a763b19284c50649158694a2a185e992" style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="auto" type="lazy-iframe" scrolling="no" data-runner-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vQMnp5ZGL4g?rel=0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" width="100%"></iframe></span></p><p>The new distribution center, referred to as the Michigan Fresh Center, will help ensure Kroger’s Michigan stores and customers are readily supplied with fresh, frozen and other wholesome foods.</p><p>“The new Michigan Fresh Center brings greater convenience to The Kroger Co. of Michigan and enables us to supply store locations with fresher product every day,” said Rachel Hurst, corporate affairs manager, The Kroger Co. of Michigan. “All products housed in the new distribution center are Kroger products and the facility will only service Kroger’s Michigan Division.”</p><p>Located at 15520 Wayne Rd. in Romulus, the Penske Logistics distribution facility is situated on approximately 47 acres with convenient access to I-275 and I-94. The facility boasts 105 loading docks, -20°F freezers, 35°F coolers, an ambient temperature section, and ample space for commercial semi-trucks and trailers. Penske Logistics provides similar warehousing and distribution center management and trucking services to Kroger in other locations throughout the U.S.</p><p>Penske Logistics continues to hire additional staff and has open positions at the facility. Interested candidates should visit <a href="https://nam05.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpenske.jobs%2F&data=02%7C01%7Crachel.hurst%40kroger.com%7C937095406575476a0abe08d6cfec788d%7C8331e14a91344288bf5a5e2c8412f074%7C0%7C0%7C636925011893984648&sdata=9ztEJKhwYTGbQxoGRZSlAFPCuTTwHCxsZ0hr5MSDVug%3D&reserved=0" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://penske.jobs/</a> to view open positions and apply online.</p><p><em>By Kim Harmsen</em></p></div>
[Read more...]
Show less
Penske Logistics has won the contract to operate and manage Kroger’s 600,000 square foot refrigerated food distribution facility located in West Shelbyville, Ind. Penske officially began operating the facility July 21.Penske Logistics has hired the 816 existing workers at the facility including those represented by Teamsters Local 135.
<p>“We’re excited to have earned this new business opportunity and to serve the needs of such a well-respected company like <a href="http://www.kroger.com/">Kroger</a>,” said Marc Althen, Penske Logistics president.</p><p>“We’ve continued to diversify our portfolio of customers over the last several years to include <a href="https://www.penskelogistics.com/solutions/warehousing-and-distribution/">warehousing and distribution</a> center operations for leading food, beverage and grocery customers in North America, Europe and Asia,” he added.</p><p>Penske is one of the leading providers of <a href="https://www.penskelogistics.com/solutions/warehouse-management.html">distribution center management and warehousing solutions</a>. Penske uses its logistics engineering expertise, technology and industry best practices to optimize millions of square feet of warehousing space and inventory for its customers around the world.</p><p>Kroger, one of the world's largest retailers, employs more than 339,000 associates who serve customers in 2,422 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 31 states under two dozen local banner names including Kroger, City Market, Dillons, Jay C, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Fry's, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs and Smith's. The company also operates convenience stores, fine jewelry stores, supermarket fuel centers and food processing plants in the U.S.</p><p><em>By "Move Ahead" Staff</em></p></div>
[Read more...]
Show less