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KeHE Distributors to open its biggest DC yet

One million-square-foot Dallas distribution center to house next-gen technology

Russell Redman

September 29, 2022

3 Min Read
KeHE new Dallas DC-exterior.jpg
KeHE's Dallas DC will include a 210,000-square-foot freezer with a climate-controlled ice cream room, robotics and automation.KeHE Distributors

Moving ahead with its rapid expansion, KeHE Distributors plans to unveil what will be its largest distribution center next week in Dallas.

Naperville, Ill.-based KeHE said yesterday that the 1 million-square-foot DC will formally open on Oct. 5. The new facility houses enhanced technology to raise service levels to partners, including a 210,000-square-foot freezer with a climate-controlled ice cream room, robotics and automation to sharpen accuracy when selecting, and improved batch-pick to lower emissions and energy demand.

In addition, the Dallas DC will provide more dedicated support for KeHE’s expanding roster of retailer and supplier partners, the distributor noted.

KeHE new Dallas DC-automation.jpg

KeHE said that, with its robotics and automation, the Dallas facility will enable extra support for the natural, organic and specialty wholesaler's growing lineup of retailer and supplier partners.

“KeHE is ecstatic to continue serving its partners and helping the communities in which we do business,” Era Vaughn, vice president of operations at KeHE, said in a statement. “Dallas is the perfect location for this facility, due to its prime location that will allow us to expand upon existing as well as new clients. Additionally, the size and technology improvement in this distribution center will allow us to provide an expanded assortment of items and improved level of service that our retailers expect and deserve.”

KeHE has continued to bolster its distribution network and customer base in recent years. Last month, the company debuted a 124,000-square-foot expansion of its Aurora, Colo. DC, earmarked for new, independent grocery clients and featuring 33% more freezer space, 66% more cooler space and 43% more dry grocery space.

Related:KeHE expands Aurora distribution center

Also in August, KeHE also extended its KeHE CONNECT Direct digital fulfillment network to include its DC in Chino, Calif., making the service available to West Coast retailers. The Chino facility joins three fulfillment centers supporting the CONNECT Direct service. Launched in June, KeHE CONNECT Direct offers retail partners an expanded assortment options for dry, refrigerated and frozen items, including products not available in their home distribution center and items in smaller quantities.

KeHE new Dallas DC-batch pick.jpg

The new DC also will feature improved batch-pick to reduce emissions as well as energy demand, KeHE said.

KeHE earlier this year added grocery retail cooperative Allegiance Retail Services as a primary distribution customer and expanded distribution of natural and specialty products with Publix Super Markets. And in December, KeHE opened its 17th distribution center, a 500,000-square-foot facility in Goodyear, Ariz. The launch of the new DC, announced in October 2021, followed the openings of a 377,000-square-foot DC in West Ellettsville, Ind., in November 2020 and a 550,000-square-foot DC in North East, Md., in October 2020.

Related:KeHE unveils KeHE CONNECT Direct digital fulfillment

An employee-owned, B Corp-certified company, KeHE supplies natural, organic, fresh and specialty food, groceries and other products to more than 30,000 natural food stores, supermarket chains, independent grocery stores, online retailers, retail pharmacies, convenience stores, foodservice providers and specialty retailers across North America.

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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