IKEA Opens State-of-the-Art Northwest Distribution Center as Washington Governor, Local Officials Welcome Facility, Jobs
2008-09-18 01:48:11 -
www.IKEA-USA.com - IKEA, the world's leading home furnishings retailer, today officially inaugurated its state-of-the-art northwest distribution center, now fully operational near Tacoma, WA. The 11 a.m. ceremony included Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire, local government officials, and IKEA representatives, as well as the raising of the U.S., Swedish and Washington flags, and a traditional Swedish log-sawing ceremony, which brings good luck to a new home.
Constructed on 65 acres at the Frederickson Industrial Area in unincorporated Pierce County, WA, this 646,000-square-foot distribution center represents the first phase of a project by the Swedish company that eventually can expand to more than 1 million square feet. Ultimately, this IKEA distribution center will employ about 125 coworkers and provide property tax revenue for local governments and schools.
"We appreciate the support we have received from the community and are proud of the economic development and port business we are generating with the opening of this new facility," said Patrick Wedig, Distribution Center manager. "Our coworkers also are enthusiastic about the contribution we will be making to the IKEA goal of keeping our prices so low that the many people can afford them."
A facility in this region of the country will help IKEA ensure stores continue to offer well-designed and functional home furnishings at affordable prices by maximizing a cost-effective distribution network.
This distribution center will allow IKEA to receive goods at ports in the region, such as the Port of Tacoma, and to manage its inventory and to distribute product to stores throughout North America. The primary stores to be served from this distribution center are northwestern IKEA stores, including four in Western Canada, and three in the U.S. (Renton, WA; Portland, OR; and Draper, UT). The goods received at the Port will reflect the nearly 10,000 exclusively designed items currently sold at all IKEA stores. With more than 1,300 suppliers in 54 countries around the world, IKEA globally transports products to its stores through regional distribution centers.
In addition to Governor Gregoire's keynote, brief remarks were given by Port of Tacoma Commissioner Don Johnson, Pierce County Council Chair Terry Lee, and IKEA North America Distribution Services president Keith Keller. Ceremony participants as flag-raisers included: Pierce County District #3 Council Member Roger Bush for the U.S. flag, former IKEA North America president Bjorn Bayley for the Swedish flag, and IKEA Renton (Washington) store manager Laurie Helm for the State of Washington flag. A contribution also was presented to a local charitable organization for use by families and women in need.
There are more than 280 IKEA stores in 36 countries, including 35 in the U.S., where new stores are being planned in: Centennial, CO; Charlotte, NC; Somerville, MA; and Tampa, FL. Other IKEA distribution centers in North America are in: Bristol, PA; Brossard, QC; Perryville, MD; Savannah, GA; Tejon, CA; and Westampton, NJ. Another facility is planned in Joliet, IL.
IKEA believes home is the most important place in the world and, since its 1943 founding in Sweden, has offered a wide range of home furnishings and accessories of good design and function, at low prices so the majority of the people can afford them. IKEA has been ranked in FORTUNE's annual "100 Best Companies to Work For" list (three years in a row), Working Mother magazine's annual list of "100 Best Companies for Working Mothers" (four years in a row) and Training magazine's annual "Top 100" ranking of companies that excel at human capital development (five years in a row). IKEA incorporates environmentally and socially responsible efforts into day-to-day business, and continually supports initiatives that benefit causes such as children and the environment. For information about IKEA, please go to www.IKEA-USA.com.
IKEA
Joseph Roth, U.S. Public Affairs
(610) 834-0180, x. 6500
