McLane Co., Inc., Temple, Texas, opened a new grocery distribution center called McLane Ocala in the Ocala International Commerce Center in Ocala, Fla.

The 400,000-square-foot facility will house 165,000 square feet of dry grocery, nearly 200,000 square feet of perishables and 35,000 square feet of office and support space, and create over 400 new jobs. By the end of the year, McLane Ocala plans to onboard 316 warehouse and support teammates and 120 drivers and transportation support teammates.

McLane Ocala is the company’s sixth distribution center in Florida. Construction Management Technology (CMT), the Hebron, Ky.-based general contractor for the project, oversaw the renovations and development.

Michelle Chesnutt and Jerry Winterhalter are leading the operation with a combined 70 years of experience at McLane. Chesnutt recently transitioned from division president at McLane Dothan in Cottonwood, Ala., while Winterhalter was vice president of distribution at McLane Sunwest in Goodyear, Ariz.

"We are thrilled to open our new facility in Ocala, where the business community is welcoming and open to growth," says Chesnutt. "The values and work ethic of the prospective workforce is an ideal fit with McLane's culture. McLane Ocala continues our company's core initiative to drive customer results."