Millard, a leading refrigerated warehousing and distribution services company, said it purchased the Springfield, Ohio, distribution center ofBEF Foods, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary ofBob Evans Farms, Inc.

Terms were not disclosed. Officials said Millard, Omaha, Neb., will take over the 127,509-square-foot facility and continue to ship Bob Evans brand products to retail and foodservice customers in the eastern and southern United States beginning October 29, 2011.

Millard said it wants to expand business at the Springfield site and will offer warehouse and logistics services to other public customers at the Springfield facility. Millard said it also will work with Bob Evans to improve overall fleet utilization.

“By expanding our operations to include other clients, Millard will optimize the utilization of the facility and increase jobs to accommodate the anticipated growth," said Lance Larsen, Millard CEO. "We are dedicated to delivering value and innovative distribution services to Bob Evans Foods and all of our clients."

Millard operates a distribution center in Sunnyvale, Texas, that distributes Bob Evans product lines to retail and foodservice customers throughout the south and the west. Bob Evans was one of the first customers at the Sunnyvale facility when it opened in 2010.

“Millard has been an important partner to Bob Evans and we look forward to our relationship growing as they assume ownership of our Springfield distribution center,” said Mike Townsley, president of BEF Foods, Inc. “We’re also very pleased that they’ll preserve employee jobs while allowing us to direct our resources into producing delicious food products for our customers.”

One of the nation's largest refrigerated warehousing and logistics companies, Millard serves North American customers through a network of 36 facilities. Officials say most locations have order pick services, computerized inventory management and product scanning systems, exporting services, rail access and transportation services including LTL.