JOLIET, Ill. — Central Grocers here said Tuesday it plans to expand the capacity at its distribution center to accommodate increased volume in the produce and meat departments of its members. Completion is expected before the end of the year.
The expansion will involve reconfiguring racks to pick up 15,000 square feet of receiving space at the 940,000-square-foot facility; it will also increase the number of dock doors by 30, to 180, and optimize pallet movement and capacity to support continued growth, the retailer-owned cooperative said.
The company said combined produce and meat volume has grown from $100 million in March 2009, when Central Grocers moved into the facility here, to more than $250 million.
Central Grocers, also known as Centrella Foods, has approximately 225 members, and services more than 400 retail stores in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan and Wisconsin.
