Kroger opens fulfillment center in Wisconsin’s Village of Pleasant Prairie
Kroger has officially opened yet another new customer fulfillment center, this time in the Village of Pleasant Prairie in Wisconsin.
“We are thrilled to launch Kroger Delivery in Pleasant Prairie, continuing our long-standing engagement in the state of Wisconsin. Our tradition of fresh is all about our customers, and this true milestone moment incorporates end-to-end cold solutions, including customized refrigerated vans, providing Kenosha County residents with everything fresh, every time,” said Gabriel Arreaga, senior vice president and chief supply chain officer.
“Through the incredible relationships with several local departments, including Kenosha County and Village of Pleasant Prairie, this collaboration was key to success that will bring nearly 250 jobs to the high-tech 336,840-sq.-ft. fulfillment center and will enable us to expand our delivery services to new areas in the region in need of our best-in-class service,” he said.
[Read More: Kroger enters restaurant supply business in Dallas]
The site, which is centrally located between Milwaukee and Chicago, is powered by the Ocado Group, which leverages advanced robotics technology and creative solutions to help redefine the customer experience, the company said.
“Kroger is a tremendous example of how a company’s vision and collaboration with the village can provide new jobs to the region,” said John Steinbrink Sr., Pleasant Prairie Village president.
“Kroger is a welcomed community partner, and we look forward to seeing their investment in our community succeed. Our residents will be excited to know a facility in Pleasant Prairie can deliver fresh groceries right to the doorstep of our neighborhoods,” he said. “In addition, the village staff would like to thank Kroger and Kenosha County for working with the village on the Transportation Economic Assistance Grant that widened Highway H. The road improvements will ensure traffic surrounding the new Kroger facility continues to flow smoothly.”
In addition to the opening of this new customer fulfillment center, the retailer said that it has collaborated with the Kenosha Area Business Alliance, Wisconsin Department of Transportation and Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.
[Read More: Food and pharmacy in one: What is the state of the supermarket pharmacy business?]
“Kenosha County is the hotspot for economic development in the state of Wisconsin and we welcome Kroger's new state-of-the-art food fulfillment center,” said Samantha Kerkman, Kenosha county executive. “Utilizing the latest robotics and logistics technology, this e-commerce fulfillment center provides a vital role in offering access to fresh food, especially to those residents without easy access to groceries. We look forward to providing the Kroger leadership team with a supportive business environment here in Kenosha County.”
The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation is supporting the project with up to $1.5 million in state tax credits to the Kroger Fulfillment Network and up to $500,000 in tax credits to Ocado Solutions.
“Kroger’s partnership with Ocado on this new Pleasant Prairie facility allows Wisconsin to help discover innovative solutions for grocery ordering and delivery,” said Missy Hughes, secretary and CEO of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, or WEDC. “While this facility will use robots and the latest technology to fulfill orders, this project is also expected to create more than 200 jobs.”
[Read More: Retailers are expanding COVID-19 vaccines, antiviral and test availability]
Kroger currently operates customer fulfillment centers in Ohio, Florida, Georgia and Texas, with additional customer fulfillment centers slated for California, Maryland, Arizona, Michigan, Ohio, North Carolina, Colorado, South Florida and the Northeast.