JOLIET, Ill. — Central Grocers Cooperative here has completed its merger with Certified Grocers Midwest with the opening of a new distribution center here and the transition of Certified's business to the new facility.

With the opening of the 940,000-square-foot warehouse, Central Grocers relocated its headquarters from Franklin Park, Ill., to here, a spokesman told SN.

Central Grocers and Certifed signed a transition agreement a year ago under which Central agreed to take over an estimated 80% of Certified's volume, amounting to approximately $450 million on an annualized basis. Certified made the move after the departure of its largest member, Butera Foods, left it financially weakened.

The combined organization encompasses approximately 225 members operating 450 stores in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and Wisconsin.

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