IKEA Plans Southeastern Distribution Center At Port Of Savannah

Furniture World Magazine

IKEA, a leading home furnishings retailer, announced plans for a 1.7 million square-foot distribution center on 115 acres at the Savannah International Trade Park (GA). A Savannah Distribution Center will allow IKEA to receive goods at the Port of Savannah, to manage its inventory and to distribute product to stores throughout North America, with a focus on IKEA stores in the Southeast. The first phase of the project consists of a 785,000 square-foot facility to be operational by Summer 2007. An expansion of approximately 975,000 square feet also is planned for after the initial building is up and running. Besides jobs created during construction, approximately 150 coworkers will join the IKEA family when both phases of this Southeastern Distribution Center are complete. Additionally, IKEA will provide significant property tax revenue for local governments and schools. IKEA expects to receive approximately 15,000 Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit containers (TEUs) through the Port of Savannah after completion of the project. The goods received through the Port of Savannah will reflect the nearly 10,000 exclusively designed items currently sold at all IKEA stores. With more than 1,500 suppliers in 55 countries around the world, IKEA globally transports products to its stores through regional distribution centers. This Savannah Distribution Center will provide the primary inventory to IKEA stores in the Southeast and Texas, and can supply other stores across the country as needed. IKEA stores to be supported by the Savannah DC are in Atlanta, GA; Frisco, TX; Houston, TX; and one planned in Round Rock, TX. “We are thrilled about the opportunity to locate our Southeastern Distribution Center at the Savannah International Trade Park,” said Keith Keller, IKEA North America’s Distribution Services president. “As one of the fastest growing ports in the country, Savannah offers the long-term capacity, infrastructure and geography that we were seeking to complement our distribution presence in North America. A Savannah-based distribution center will help IKEA ensure our stores continue to offer well designed and functional home furnishings at affordable prices.” With more than 225 stores in 33 countries, IKEA currently is expanding its presence around the world by opening new stores. In North America, IKEA is opening approximately three to five stores a year. U.S. stores planned include locations in: Brooklyn, NY; Canton, MI; Draper, UT; Dublin, CA; Portland, OR; Round Rock, TX; Somerville, MA; and West Sacramento, CA. Other distribution centers in North America include facilities in: Bristol, PA; Brossard, QC; Perryville, MD; Tejon, CA; Vancouver, BC; and Westampton, NJ. Since its 1943 founding in Sweden, IKEA has offered home furnishings and accessories of good design and function, at low prices so the majority of the people can afford them. For three consecutive years, IKEA has been named to Working Mother magazine’s annual list of the “100 Best Companies for Working Mothers” and Training magazine’s annual “Top 100” ranking of companies that excel at human capital development – as well as to this year’s FORTUNE’’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” list. IKEA incorporates environmentally friendly efforts into day-to-day business and continuously supports initiatives that benefit causes such as children and the environment. To visit the IKEA Web site, please go to http://www.ikea-usa.com. For information about working at IKEA, please visit http://JobsAt.IKEA-usa.com.