United States Cold Storage, Voorhees, N.J., expects by April to open a temperature-controlled distribution center in Wilmington, Ill., near Chicago. Phase 1 construction plans include a 5.7 million-cubic-foot building with a 65-foot wide refrigerated shipping and receiving dock and 22 dock doors. Officials say the site will be fully racked with 16,700 pallet positions and will feature three convertible rooms for storage at -20F to +55F.
Like other warehouses in USCS' 31-facility network, Wilmington will be supported by the company's nationwide information technology programs. This includes a warehouse management system utlizing RF bar code scanning, EDI capabilities and highly secure customer access to online data for inventory information, order placement and shipment status. It likewise will be integrated into USCS' logistics and transportation networking programs, which include consolidated LTL shipping.
"With the addition of a new warehouse DC in Wilmington, we are greatly expanding our ability to provide customers with access to markets throughout the Midwest by serving as a hub for their specialized distribution requirements," says Diane Stewart, vice president and area manager for USCS' Midwest operaitons. "The size and scope of Wilmington opens up a variety of new opportunities for our largest national customers."