- The Allen Group, a developer of logistics parks, has reached an agreement with BNSF Railway Co. to purchase half of the railroad's acreage in Kansas to develop what will be known as Logistics Park-Kansas City. BNSF, which currently owns 997 acres, will retain ownership of 418 acres of land for an intermodal facility it plans to open in 2009. The remaining 579 acres are being sold to Allen for the logistics park. The site is located about 25 miles southwest of Kansas City.
- Electronics and technology distributor Ingram Micro is breaking ground on an addition to its distribution facility in Pennsylvania's Lebanon Valley. The 250,000-square-foot addition will make the facility in Lickdale, Pa., the largest of Ingram Micro's eight DCs.
- Construction continues in other parts of Pennsylvania, as Sara Lee plans a new 182,000-square-foot distribution center to be located near Pottstown. The facility will handle the company's signature frozen desserts as well as its Ball Park, Hillshire Farms, and Jimmy Dean brand meats. It is expected to create 120 jobs.
- Averitt Express, a freight transportation and supply chain management company, has opened a new service center in West Palm Beach, Fla. The 7,000-square-foot facility has 26 doors and is expected to improve delivery times for customers moving freight in and out of West Palm Beach.
- Computer company Lenovo has announced plans to build a 200,000-square-foot fulfillment center in Whitsett, N.C. The facility, due to open in January, will provide services such as product configuration, distribution, returns management, and light assembly.
- Pacer Distribution Services has opened a 52-door trans-load and distribution facility in Carson, Calif. The new operation is adjacent to the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach and will help meet increasing demands for trans-loading services for international freight shipments moving from the West Coast ports to inland locations.
- ProLogis, a large international developer of distribution facilities, has acquired 184 acres in Wilmington, Ill., for a new distribution park. Located some 60 miles southwest of Chicago, the center will serve Logistics Park-Chicago, BNSF Railway Co.'s large intermodal facility. The first phase of development will include 3.2 million square feet of industrial space. Future phases will add 6.8 million square feet of warehouse space.
ProLogis is also leasing an 806,400-square-foot facility at its new park in Morris, Ill., to Kraft Foods. The facility will replace Kraft's Romeoville, Ill., distribution center and serve as the main distribution point for Nabisco-brand crackers and cookies.
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