Walgreens to Build New Distribution Center in Moreno Valley

Inland Empire Business Journal, Oct 01, 2001

Walgreens Co. and the city of Moreno Valley today announced that they will build a new distribution facility in Moreno Valley, east of the intersection of Perris Boulevard and Nandina Avenue. Walgreens expects to close on the property soon.

City of Moreno Valley Mayor Bonnie Flickinger commented, "We are very pleased that Walgreens, a Fortune 100 company, selected Moreno Valley as its new Southern California home. The distribution center will bring many family-supporting jobs to the city. We look forward to building a strong corporate relationship with Walgreens."

The city worked closely with the Inland Empire Economic Partnership (IEEP) to attract the company to the Moreno Valley location. The IEEP conducted the initial site search and facilitated meetings between the city and site selectors beginning in August, 2000. Site work on the two parcels, totaling 94 acres, is expected to begin in early 2002, with a planned opening in spring, 2004. The facility will include more than 680,00 square feet, with the capability of future expansion. About 200 employees are expected to be hired initially for the center, and employment eventually could reach 600.

Teri Ooms, president and CEO of IEEP, stated, "The Inland Empire's available work force and sophisticated transportation networks continue to attract companies like this to the region." Ooms also said that there are more expansion announcements to come.

When it opens, the facility is expected to serve 250 to 300 stores in Southern California, Arizona and Nevada.

"We chose this site because of its proximity to major highways serving Southern California and because of the area's skilled workforce," said Jodi Dalton, Walgreens senior real estate manager. "We've also received excellent cooperation from the city of Moreno Valley, which has created a solid business environment."

The distribution center will be equipped with the newest technology in automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS). It will also have about 14 miles of conveyor belts and sophisticated sorting and storage rack systems.

Walgreens Co. is the nation's largest drugstore chain, with fiscal 2001 sales of $24.6 billion. The company operates 3,520 stores in 43 states and Puerto Rico and plans to open 475 stores in fiscal 2002.