SEATTLE (BRAIN) — REI announced Friday that it will open a third distribution center — located in the Phoenix-area suburb of Goodyear, Ariz. — to speed delivery of product to the outdoor co-op's stores and customers in the Southwest. The new DC, scheduled to be operational in July 2016, will complement REI's current facilities in Sumner, Wash., and Bedford, Pa.
"We are privileged to join the community of Goodyear as we expand our distribution capacity and services to the Southwest market," said Rick Bingle, REI's vice president of supply chain. "The Goodyear distribution center will enable us to continue to focus on the needs of customers by moving our gear and apparel more quickly and efficiently, now and into the future."
The 400,000-square-foot facility will be located on 34 acres and will employ about 120 workers. It will serve about 40 of REI's 130 stores and enable the company to reach 20 percent more of its customers with two-day ground service.
The building will be designed using LEED environmental standards to reduce energy costs and consumption, with the goal of achieving LEED Gold certification. REI will also seek to minimize use of water both inside and outside the building, particularly for cooling and landscaping.
