Sponsored By

UNFI to Consolidate Denver Facilities

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — United Natural Foods here on Tuesday said it would consolidate its four existing Denver-based distribution facilities into a new 535,000-square-foot facility in Aurora, Colo.

Jon Springer, Executive Editor

September 11, 2012

2 Min Read
Supermarket News logo in a gray background | Supermarket News

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — United Natural Foods here on Tuesday said it would consolidate its four existing Denver-based distribution facilities into a new 535,000-square-foot facility in Aurora, Colo.

The new facility is expected to begin operations in the summer of 2013. Situated near I-70 in the Denver International Airport corridor, the new facility will serve as a distribution hub for retailers in the Rocky Mountain region as well as Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming, UNFI said.

The center will feature approximately 160,000 square feet of refrigeration and freezer space, including an expanded cold dock, and over 42,000 square feet for employee offices and workspaces. UNFI said no jobs were expected to be impacted in the transition. The facility is expected to open with 475 workers and increase up to 550 within the first three years, based on plans for increased capacity.

WH Refresh blog: Natural, Organic Industry Growing on Wider Margins

"With new and efficient operations, and all our associates located together, this new facility should enable us to continue to expand our operations while reducing operating costs," said Steve Spinner, UNFI's president and chief executive officer, said in a statement. "Denver and Aurora are great communities with a strong and receptive workforce. We are very excited about continuing our long-standing relationship in the area with a single, centrally located facility at Gateway Park."

Separately on Tuesday, UNFI said sales during its fiscal fourth quarter increased by 16% to $1.3 billion, while net income of $25.1 million improved by 46.4%. Gross margin as a percent of sales was down by 1.5%, below analyst expectations.

 

About the Author

Jon Springer

Executive Editor

Jon Springer is executive editor of Winsight Grocery Business with responsibility for leading its digital news team. Jon has more than 20 years of experience covering consumer business and retail in New York, including more than 14 years at the Retail/Financial desk at Supermarket News. His previous experience includes covering consumer markets for KPMG’s Insiders; the U.S. beverage industry for Beverage Spectrum; and he was a Senior Editor covering commercial real estate and retail for the International Council of Shopping Centers. Jon began his career as a sports reporter and features editor for the Cecil Whig, a daily newspaper in Elkton, Md. Jon is also the author of two books on baseball. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English-Journalism from the University of Delaware. He lives in Brooklyn, N.Y. with his family.

Stay up-to-date on the latest food retail news and trends
Subscribe to free eNewsletters from Supermarket News

You May Also Like