(BRK.A), (BRK.B)
Berkshire Hathaway’s wholly-owned supply chain services company, McLane Company, Inc., has opened a new, $150 million, 417,338-square-foot grocery distribution center in Findlay, Ohio.
“Of our 80 grocery and foodservice distribution centers nationwide, the Findlay facility is the most technologically advanced combining teammates, state-of-the-art automation, advanced robotics and artificial intelligence,” said Tony Frankenberger, President of McLane Grocery.
The McLane Findlay distribution center will employ approximately 400-500 teammates in Ohio.
Of McLane’s 80 distribution centers nationwide, the massive Findlay facility is the most technologically advanced – utilizing teammates, robotics and artificial intelligence to deliver over 325,000 picks of items per day at peak operation.
Governor John Kasich gave remarks applauding McLane’s decision to locate in Ohio and highlighted the positive impact McLane has on the community. He touched on some of McLane’s inclusive hiring policies stating, “That is a huge, huge deal, when we’re giving everybody a chance.”
The McLane Findlay distribution center will store approximately 16,000 grocery and convenience store items representing over 700 suppliers, which will continue to increase in 2018. Robots utilize bar codes on the products to store and transfer pallets of goods, traveling up to 60 mph to fulfill orders. McLane teammates help control and program the robots and load and organize products into bins based on the products’ final destinations.
These items are then delivered to convenience stores, mass merchants, warehouse clubs and drug stores in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana and Pennsylvania.
“There is an outstanding culture providing a strong workforce place here in Findlay in Hancock County and when I say strong I mean that in the sense of commitment, respect, and teamwork,” said Julie Norris, Division President, McLane Grocery Distribution.
The McLane Findlay distribution center employed 500 construction trade representatives over the facility’s 14-month construction. The company is committed to hiring Ohioans and contributing to the Findlay and Ohio economy. Teammates are relocating to Findlay from Toledo, Lima, Indianapolis and Detroit to work at McLane. In addition, McLane has hired over 95 truck drivers, with plans to hire 75 more.
© 2017 David Mazor
Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.