UNFI Plans New Florida Distribution Center

Grocery wholesaler and private label supplier United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI) has broken ground on a new state-of-the-art distribution center (DC) in Sarasota, Fla.

Located at the within the 300-arce SRQ Logistics Center business park, the new DC replaces an aging facility and will incorporate the latest in leading warehouse technology to increase efficiency in selecting, packing and loading processes. The Florida facility groundbreaking follows plans for a new Manchester, Pa. DC that were announced earlier this year.

“Distribution is our core business, so when we build a new distribution center we want to incorporate as much automation and technology as possible to improve our ability to service our customers while simultaneously lowering our costs to do so,” said Erin Horvath, chief operating officer of UNFI. “We are also very excited about providing a working environment designed around the needs of both our customers and our associates.” 

UNFI is working with JLL, Broadstone Net Lease, Inc., Sansone Group and ARCO Design/Build in the building of the DC. The new warehouse will be more than 1 million-square-feet of capacity and incorporate some of the latest technology and automation, including KNAPP re-pack automation, which is expected to improve service levels to customers while simultaneously reducing the cost to fill orders. 

Additionally, the new facility will be a fully air-conditioned warehouse and will feature natural daylighting concepts and dimmable lighting, as well as a full-building water filtration system. It is expected to include workforce-friendly amenities designed to support a strong work environment for UNFI employees.

UNFI delivers products to more than 30,000 retail, e-commerce and foodservice locations throughout North America.