The facility will create approximately 500 news jobs in the process, the company said.
Following an extensive review of sites throughout the states of Illinois, Indiana and Michigan, the company selected a location near the intersection of US 35 and County Road 500N in Starke County, IN. The state government of Indiana, through the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), Starke County, and the town of Hamlet worked together to provide an incentive package that helped attract Sysco's Midwest Redistribution Center.
"Investments like the one Sysco is making reflect an encouraging confidence in Indiana as a place of economic promise," Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels said in a statement issued by Sysco.
The approximately 700,000-sq.-ft. operation will include freezer, refrigeration, dry storage, office space and a truck maintenance facility. Sysco said the operation is expected to be completed within 18 months after construction begins. Once the RDC is operational, it will begin supplying products to 14 Sysco broadline facilities in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
The redistribution center is the third site location of as many as nine planned facilities throughout the United States as part of the distributorship's Supply Chain Initiative project. The goal of the project is to maximize efficiencies and create supply chain capabilities that increase value to suppliers, customers and Sysco by utilizing more efficient planning and forecasting methods and leveraging technology systems to reduce operating and delivery expenses.
The first redistribution center, which began shipping products in February 2005 is located in Front Royal, VA, and services 14 of broadline distribution companies in the Northeast Region.
Kenneth J. Spitler, executive vice president of distributorship and president of North American foodservice operations, said, "The Hamlet, Indiana location will be instrumental in establishing a more efficient supply chain for our operating companies in the Midwest Region. The site is strategically located for redistribution activities, is a product of sound public planning and utility infrastructure, and provides ready access to three Interstate highways and railroad systems."
Spitler also expressed his gratitude for the efforts of many individuals who helped make the site selection process a success, including: Charles Weaver and the entire Starke County Development Foundation; President Kevin Kroft and the Board of Commissioners of Starke County; President David Kesvormas and the Board of Trustees of the Town of Hamlet; and the entire staff of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.
The economic development incentives offered by the IEDC include training grants from the Skills Enhancement Fund (SEF) to train Indiana resident employees; training grants for technology professionals through the Technology Enhancement Certifications for Hoosiers (TECH) fund; assistance with off-site infrastructure improvements needed to serve the site through the industrial development grant fund (IDGF); and tax credits from the Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE) and the Hoosier Business Investment tax credit program.
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