ALDI Inc., Batavia, Ill., opened the doors to its new state-of-the-art distribution center and division headquarters in Dinwiddie County, Va. Constructed by A M King, Charlotte, N.C., the 562,500-sqaure-foot facility will serve approximately 70-80 ALDI stores across the Richmond-Petersburg, Hampton Roads and eastern North Carolina regions.

The state-of-the-art distribution center features an ammonia refrigeration system, high-end dock equipment, racking for 25,000 pallet positions, full LED lighting and a solar system, which will run the bulk of the refrigeration systems, and at times, even part of the building.

A M King provided fully integrated design-build services, including the installation of an ammonia refrigeration system, structural precast building, an 80 mil PVC roof, high-end dock equipment, high density concrete warehouse flooring, racking for 25,000 pallet positions, a Quell fire suppression sprinkler system in the perishable space and a 2500 kW generator that supplies enough power to operate the entire facility during a power outage.

“We are so proud to officially open our brand new distribution center,” says Chris Daniels, vice president for ALDI, Petersburg division. “Our team has been eagerly awaiting this day since we broke ground on the property about a year and a half ago. With our continued growth plans in this region, a fully staffed team and now an operational warehouse, I cannot wait to see what the future holds.”

Additional sustainability initiatives include an electrical system installed with a 2,000 100%-rated amp service designed for a 1.66 MW peak solar system, which will run the bulk of the refrigeration system, and at times, even part of the building. The 35,000-square-foot Class A office space includes Italian marble flooring and walls.

“Our design-build team overcame significant weather-related challenges to not only deliver another successful project to ALDI Inc., but [also] finished earlier than anticipated,” says Matt Miller, senior project manager, A M King.

The $57 million project added approximately 150 new jobs.