Rite Aid improves distribution in Southeast with new DC
CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid announced Wednesday the grand opening of its new distribution center in Spartanburg, S.C., located at 789 Flatwood Industrial Drive.
“We’re excited to celebrate the grand opening of our newest distribution center in Spartanburg, our first in 16 years,” stated John Standley, Rite Aid chairman and CEO. “Featuring highly efficient and advanced technologies, this facility will play a crucial role in our company’s supply chain, supporting more than 1,000 Rite Aid stores across the southeastern United States, and help us deliver a superior customer experience.”
“We were thrilled last year when Rite Aid announced its decision to join the South Carolina family and build this new distribution facility in Spartanburg, but we’re even more excited today to see this world-class facility become a reality," commented Gov. Nikki Haley, R-S.C. "Rite Aid’s Spartanburg County operations and the approximately 600 new jobs it will mean for South Carolinians, will have a tremendous impact on the entire state and is a testament to the competitive business environment we have worked so hard to create here.”
South Carolina Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt and several other state, city and community officials joined Standley and Ken Martindale, CEO of Rite Aid Stores and president of Rite Aid, for a grand opening event and ribbon-cutting ceremony on the morning of June 1.
The 900,000 square foot distribution center sits on 97 acres and is located near Interstate 85 between Highways 9 and 221.
Some of the features of the new facility include:
High efficiency LED and T5 fluorescent light fixtures and occupancy sensor controlled warehouse lighting;
An on-site truck maintenance facility, including a fueling station, trailer weigh scale and wash area;
High-speed automated palletizers, ergonomically designed manual palletizing stations and automatic label applicators;
State-of-the-art warehouse and labor management system;
Voice pick technology; and
60,000 square feet of office space, including an associate cafeteria, fitness center and other amenities.
As part of the grand opening celebration, The Rite Aid Foundation will present a $25,000 donation to Boys & Girls Clubs of the Upstate. The donation will be used to expand and support the programs and services offered by the Club at Mary H. Wright Elementary School.
Rite Aid worked with Johnson Development Associates, a leading real estate development firm based in Spartanburg, to design and build the new facility.