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World Distribution Services Announces $6.2 million Warehouse Renovation

World Distribution Services Announces $6.2 million Warehouse Renovation

Driven by a vision for infrastructure upgrades, technology enhancements, and new machinery, supply chain solutions provider World Distribution Services announced plans to refurbish and build 320,000 square feet of warehousing space at a facility in Virginia Beach. The added space will be solely dedicated to manufacturing and retail goods with 20,000 square feet specifically dedicated to food grade space.

“Our new warehouse will feature a top tier Warehouse Management System (WMS) with RF scanning technology. Our WMS gives our clients 24/7/365 access to their inventory data, and seamlessly integrates with their ERP systems,” said WDS SVP John Morrow. “What this means is that we can easily handle inventory management and order fulfillment services for our clients, and provide them with extremely accurate tracking, tracing, and reporting that fits their needs.”

Artistic rendering of the future World Distribution Services warehouse at 1537 Air Rail Avenue in Virginia Beach. The refurbished warehouse will be 320,000 square feet with 20,000 square feet of dedicated food-grade space.
Credit: World Distribution Services

With an estimated completion date for March 2020 and a prime location within 15 miles of Port of Virginia’s container terminals, the renovation will also bring 35 new jobs to the region.

“This company will be nearly doubling its warehousing space [in Virginia], which speaks to its success and its expectations for the future,” said VBDA Interim Economic Development Director Taylor Adams. The VBDA approved an EDIP grant of $35,000 for WDS based on the number of new jobs it will create.”

“We are very excited to be expanding our warehouse operations into Virginia Beach in 2020.  We wanted to bring high quality facilities close to the Port of Virginia to better serve our customers and to improve the work environment for our employees. Thanks to the Virginia Beach Department of Economic Development, we were able to find a facility that will meet both of those objectives,” said Duncan Wright, President of WDS.

 

Amazon

Amazon’s Austin Tech Hub Projects 800 Jobs Following Expansion

Adding to the 22,000+ job portfolio in the state of Texas, Amazon announced its Austin Tech Hub will create an additional 800 jobs in the region following the projected hub expansion scheduled for 2020.

“In the last four years, we have created more than a 1,000 jobs in Austin,” said Terry Leeper, General Manager of Amazon’s Austin Tech Hub. “With a strong pool of technical talent in Austin and a dynamic quality of life, we are excited to continue to expand and create more opportunity in this vibrant city.”

“The state of Texas has cultivated a strong and vibrant business environment, leading to more jobs and greater innovation,” said Governor Abbott. “With today’s announcement and continued investment in the technology sector, Texas will continue to chart a path toward greater economic prosperity.”

The new 145,000 square foot office in The Domain will provide tech-focused job opportunities including software and hardware engineering, research science, and cloud computing. Amazon was recognized as #1 on LinkedIn Top Companies in 2018 and boasts a unique and competitive benefits package including healthcare beginning on day one of employment and a dedicated paid apprenticeship program for military veterans.

“I’m pleased that Amazon is doubling down on Austin by expanding the Tech Hub,” said Senator Watson. “Austin is a special place that fosters creativity and innovation, and I appreciate that Amazon has chosen to become an even greater contributor to our dynamic community and economy.”

To read more about the Austin Hub expansion and employee benefits, please visit The Amazon Blog.

Baton Rouge Pipe Manufacturing Plants to Undergo $22 Million Upgrades

Family-owned steel pipe manufacturing company, Stupp Corp. announced plans this week for major upgrades to its two northern Baton Rouge manufacturing plants. It’s estimated a total of $22 million is currently being invested as part of the overall expansion project in the region.

“This $22 million expansion is welcome news for north Baton Rouge, for the Capital Region and for the state,” Gov. Edwards said. “To be successful, Louisiana’s energy industry relies on quality products and performance by the oilfield services sector. Stupp Corp. has a long and respected history of providing products and services for the oil and gas industry for many years. As the company looks to improve its efficiency in this competitive sector, this expansion will create 128 good-paying jobs. Louisiana’s positive business climate and our talented manufacturing workforce are helping to make this possible.”

It’s also estimated that a total of 128 new jobs will come from the expansion in addition to retaining the 338 jobs currently in place. The estimated salary for the new job market is currently at $60,567 inclusive of benefits. Stupp kicked off the initial expansion project in October 2018 with the help of LED and LED’s FastStart® state workforce development program.

“We are thrilled that Stupp Corp., a longstanding economic and community partner, has decided to expand their business in Baton Rouge,” Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome said. “The number of direct and indirect jobs created will add substantial value to our city and reaffirms that Baton Rouge is a great place to grow and build businesses. We were happy to partner with BRAC and lend our support to push this investment over the finish line.”

 “Stupp Corp. has been a part of the Baton Rouge community for nearly 70 years,” Baton Rouge Area Chamber President and CEO Adam Knapp said. “Our team was pleased to help coordinate this project through the decision-making process and is thrilled to celebrate with them today, bringing 128 new, high-paying jobs to the region.”

 

Klein Tools Targets UK, Ireland Markets

Lincolnshire, IL – Tool manufacturer Klein Tools has expanded initiatives in the UK and Ireland markets through a significant financial investment and strategic partnership with Super Rod, a leader in wire installation tools.

Klein offers a full range of electrical products from hand tools to test and measurement devices.

Super Rod will serve as a master distributor ensuring that the highest quality products reach the people who rely on them.

The agreement with Super Rod also brings Klein Tools into City Electric, the United Kingdom’s leading electrical wholesale network.

Starting January 2, Klein Tools will be available through the electrical distribution channel exclusively at 411 City Electric stores located in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Klein Tools, founded in 1857, manufacturers its tool inventory at seven plants in the U.S.

12/31/2014

Toyota Adds Capacity to West Virginia Assembly Plant

Buffalo, WV – Six-speed, high-torque automatic transmissions are rolling off a new production line at the Toyota Motor Manufacturing plant in Buffalo, West Virginia.

The additional line increases the plant’s annual production capacity from 500,000 transmissions to 700,000.

The transmissions are being built for the Highlander and 4-wheel-drive Sienna vehicles, and will be shipped to Toyota’s assembly plant in Princeton, Indiana.

Toyota announced the $90 million expansion last year, the eighth expansion since the facility opened in 1996.

“This capacity increase helps us meeting growing North American demand,” said Millie Marshall, president – Toyota West Virginia. “Achieving our eight expansion clearly demonstrates what our team is capable of building high-quality powertrain products right here in West Virginia.”

Marshall stated that continuous improvement “has positioned the Buffalo plant as an important part of Toyota’s efforts to localize production in North America.”

11/14/2014

Illinois-Based Lifeway Foods Enters Canadian Market

Morton Grove, IL – Lifeway Foods Inc. has expanded its flagship line of probiotic kefir into Canada, where the cultured dairy beverage is now debuting in more than 1,000 stores across the country.

The company’s entry into the Canadian market marks the company’s second international expansion in 14 months, following the 2013 introduction of its frozen kefir products in the UK.

Lifeway the largest kefir manufacturer in the US with a commanding market share and a 20 percent + annual growth rate. The company said that the move into Canada and the UK “are the first steps in a plan to duplicate our success in the US in other markets around the world.”

According to the latest analysis by Transparency Market Research, global sales of probiotic products will jump from $11.6 billion in 2012 to $15.9 billion in 2019.

Probiotic dairy products accounted for almost 80 percent of all probiotic foodstuffs in 2011 and are expected to continue to command the highest market share, the analysis said.

08/01/2014