Safelite Announces New Distribution Center
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Safelite® Group, the industry leader in vehicle glass repair and replacement, has announced today the opening of its second new distribution center within the last year, and the company's largest facility to date. The location will replace the current distribution facility located in Enfield, N.C.
"This move is a direct result of our company's growth," said Tom Feeney, president and CEO of Safelite® Group. "It is part of a detailed North American supply chain strategy that will support our continued expansion through 2015."
The new 357,000 sq. ft. facility, located in Braselton, Ga., will support distribution of vehicle glass to the states east of the Mississippi River and has infrastructure that will support Leed-certification, which designates a building as environmentally friendly. It expands capacity from the company's current Enfield, N.C. facility by 36 percent, allowing for storage of 250,000 windshields and 90,000 other vehicle glass parts. It is expected to be operational by September 2010.
As a result, the company's current Enfield, N.C. distribution center will restructure its operations when the facility opens. While the reorganization will result in some staffing adjustments, Safelite® will retain its manufacturing operations employing 288 people and the current Distribution Center will be operated as a warehouse. A number of current distribution center employees will be absorbed into the company's manufacturing operations.
"We considered maintaining our east coast distribution center operations in Enfield, which are adjacent to the manufacturing plant, but because of the inability for us to further expand in that location we had to consider new options," said Feeney.
Company officials reviewed sites along I-85 between Atlanta and Charlotte in areas that would allow for more efficient and lower-cost transport of manufactured glass to points east of the Mississippi River before selecting the Braselton, Ga. location.
"Safelite® is committed to maintaining our partnership with the Enfield community," said Feeney. "We will continue to provide support to local organizations like United Way of Roanoke Valley and remain a part of the Enfield Peanut Festival. We will also be relied upon for Halifax County economic development efforts and continue to be education advocates with local schools."
Last year as part of its supply chain expansion, the company opened a 282,000 sq. ft. distribution center in Ontario, Calif., which serves points west of the Mississippi River, opened five warehouses, and expanded 12 facilities. In 2010, beyond the relocation of east coast distribution center operations, the growth of the warehouse operations continues with 12 targeted warehouse expansions.
The new Braselton, Ga. distribution center, located at 1350 Braselton Parkway, will bring 92 new jobs to the market with the potential to grow to 120 jobs as volume increases.
About Safelite® Group
Safelite® Group, a subsidiary of Belron®, is a multi-faceted vehicle glass and claims management service organization based in Columbus, Ohio. The company, which has been in business since 1947, is comprised of four major business operations that include vehicle glass repair and replacement services, operating under the trade names Safelite AutoGlass®, Auto Glass Specialists®, Cindy Rowe Auto GlassTM, Diamond Triumph GlassTM, Elite Auto Glass® and the Auto Glass Center® family of brands; Safelite® Solutions and Alliance Claims Solutions which offer fleet and insurance claims management services; Service AutoGlass®, a wholesale and distribution operation; and Safelite Glass Corp., a manufacturing and distribution business unit. The company employs more than 9,000 people throughout the United States.