North America's largest distributorship has tentatively selected and completed due diligence on an existing facility for the company, located on a 49-acre site on Alabama Route 52, in Geneva, AL. Initially the company will create 227 new jobs and ultimately could employ up to 800 people as sales continue to grow.
The new company, to be named Sysco Food Services-Gulf Coast Inc., is expected to be operational in the fourth quarter of calendar year 2005, following modifications to the facility to meet Sysco's requirements. It will serve restaurants, hospitals, schools, colleges, retirement homes, hotels and other foodservice operations in southern Alabama and the northern Gulf Coast area.
The complex will include approximately 327,000 sq.ft. of refrigerated, frozen and dry warehouse space, as well as administrative offices, Sysco reported. Foodservice customers in the area currently are being served by four other Sysco broadline operating companies in the Southeast region.
Richard J. Schnieders, Sysco's chairman and chief executive officer, said in a statement, "Our 'fold-out' companies have been a significant contributor to Sysco's internal growth and have supported our commitment to helping customers succeed. The strategy of opening 'fold-outs' to get closer to the customers we serve and become an integral part of the local community has been a major factor in our historical success. The strong growth patterns in the Gulf Coast marketplace influenced our decision to expand our service capabilities in this area, and we will continue to systematically add fold-out companies in other marketplaces across North America that exhibit similar growth characteristics."
Jack D. Carlson, vice president of real estate and construction for Sysco, indicated that the site was selected "because of the availability of an existing high quality building in a location that could easily serve a growing Gulf Coast marketplace."
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a Restaurant Business member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.