Walmart's Palestine, Texas Regional Distribution Center Gets AI Upgrades

Retail giant Walmart is continuing to invest in its supply chain, allowing for private label items to make it to store shelves faster. The company has announced the completion of renovations made to its regional distribution center in Palestine, Texas, highlighted by high-tech automation.

The renovation of the 1.2 million-square-foot facility comes as Walmart announced last year that it plans to renovate all 42 regional distribution centers with new automation technology in an effort to modernize the supply network. The facility in Palestine, Texas employs nearly 1,000 associates.

“Walmart’s Palestine distribution center has been a pillar in the community for the last 42 years, and we’re excited to transform our building into an industry-leading, high-tech distribution center,” said Marty Denney, general manager at Walmart Regional Distribution Center #6036. “This isn’t just an investment in our facility, but also our associates, our community, and our future. I couldn't be more proud to be at the forefront of Walmart’s supply chain transformation.”

The new technology investment in the facility uses a combination of AI-powered software systems, robotics and automation to sort, store, retrieve and pack merchandise onto pallets which are then shipped to Walmart stores. Walmart says the distribution center upgrades save store associates time by creating store- and aisle-ready pallets which take the guesswork out of unloading trucks and provide them with more time to serve customers.

“Adding game-changing automation and AI-powered software systems to this facility will revolutionize an already impressive operation, changing the way we distribute products to stores, and we’re just getting started,” said Mike Gray, SVP of Supply Chain Operations at Walmart.

Walmart operates approximately 10,500 stores and clubs under 46 banners in 24 countries along with e-commerce websites.