The No. 1 distributorship said it tentatively selected a site on State Highway 149 (locally known as Estes Parkway), south of Interstate 20, which is located adjacent to the City of Longview, in Gregg County. Due diligence is currently underway, including geotechnical and environmental studies.
The new unit is expected to be operational in the first quarter of calendar year 2008 and will serve restaurants, hospitals, schools, colleges, retirement homes, hotels and other foodservice operations in east Texas and portions of Arkansas and Louisiana. The complex will include approximately refrigerated, frozen and dry warehouse space, as well as administrative offices.
Richard J. Schnieders, chairman, ceo and president, said, "The East Texas market is currently serviced by four of our broadline companies and presents a tremendous opportunity for growth. Establishing a local presence in that region will provide market penetration and expense reduction opportunities. We are eager to join the Longview community and be a positive presence in the region."
Sysco explained that its fold-out strategy involves building new facilities in an area with an established sales base that has been served by distant Sysco companies. The Longview operation is the 18th broadline fold-out the distributorship has announced since unveiling the strategy in 1995.
Instrumental in selecting this location were Gregg County Judge Bill Stoudt, City of Longview Mayor Jay Dean, and the office of Texas Governor Rick Perry. The Longview Economic Development Corporation (LEDCO) coordinated the entire project at the local level.
"We are delighted that SYSCO has chosen Longview and Gregg County for their new operation," said Stoudt. "This will mean additional payroll and benefits for our citizens and our community.''
Dean, during a special meeting of the Longview City Council to consider this project, said, "This project will add more than 200 very good jobs over the next two years and will also benefit the Longview Independent School District with additional property tax receipts. Sysco is well known and highly respected in the foodservice industry. We certainly welcome them to our community and know that they will be an outstanding corporate citizen."
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