PROVIDENCE, R.I., Oct. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- United Natural Foods, Inc. (Nasdaq: UNFI) (the "Company"), the leading national distributor of natural, organic and specialty foods, today announced plans to lease a new 590,000 SF distribution center in Lancaster, Texas. Owned by ProLogis (NYSE: PLD), a leading global provider of distribution facilities, the recently constructed building is strategically located 15 miles south of downtown Dallas at the intersection of Interstates 20 and 35. The facility provides UNFI with an ideal location to support retailers throughout the Southwest including Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arkansas and Louisiana.
Operations are scheduled to commence in the fall of 2010 and, within the first year, the Company expects to employ approximately 130 new associates at the facility. Strategically, the Lancaster distribution center extends UNFI's focus on lowering operating costs in its distribution network; enhancing efficiencies, improving productivity through "best in class" warehousing and inventory control systems as well as reducing Greenhouse gas emissions. The Lancaster facility will be the Company's 21st distribution center in its nationwide distribution network.
Schematic design plans for the new facility are near completion and include: dry grocery as main program space; 54,000 SF of refrigeration and freezer space; an expanded cold dock; and nearly 20,000 SF for employee offices and workspaces. Environmental design plans will focus on resource and energy conservation, use of sustainable and recycled-content building materials, and exceptional indoor air quality for the building occupants. UNFI intends to submit an application to the USGBC for LEED ® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification upon completion of the build out.
Steve Spinner, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Focused on extending our market share and enhancing growth opportunities, this new distribution center will augment our growing presence in the Southwestern United States. Additionally, by transferring distribution routes from our Denver facility to Lancaster, we will be reducing greenhouse gas and CO2 emissions, improving service levels to customers in this region and enhancing overall operating efficiencies."
Commenting on UNFI's announcement, Marcus Knight, Mayor of the City of Lancaster stated, "Lancaster is delighted to be the home of UNFI's newest distribution center. We are all counting on this new partnership with UNFI to be one of long term mutual benefit and a terrific addition to the many corporations represented in Lancaster. As Mayor of the City of Lancaster and on behalf of the City Council and citizens of Lancaster, we extend a very warm welcome to UNFI."
"We are very pleased to welcome UNFI to our Dallas portfolio," said Rob Huthnance, ProLogis first vice president and market officer in Dallas. "With a sophisticated supply chain network, established distribution operations and a long-term commitment to sustainability, UNFI is a well-respected customer and we are glad to have begun a long-term business relationship."
"Lancaster is a great community with a very receptive, strong workforce and we are excited to expand our distribution network into Texas," added Tom Dziki, Senior Vice President, Sustainable Development. "We sincerely appreciate the support and assistance provided by the City of Lancaster to make this project a reality and we look forward to a great partnership with the community of Lancaster for many years to come."
The Company plans to pursue LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification for this distribution facility once retrofitting is completed and facility operations commence. LEED® is a third party certification program and a nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. LEED® promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.
About United Natural Foods
United Natural Foods, Inc. (www.unfi.com) carries and distributes more than 60,000 products to more than 17,000 customers nationwide. The Company serves a wide variety of retail formats including conventional supermarket chains, natural product superstores, independent retail operators and the food service channel. United Natural Foods, Inc. was ranked by Forbes in 2005 as one of the "Best Managed Companies in America," ranked by Fortune in 2006, 2007 and 2009 as one of its "Most Admired Companies," ranked by Business Ethics as one of its "100 Best Corporate Citizens for 2006" and winner of the Supermarket News 2008 Sustainability Excellence Award.
"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements in this press release regarding the Company's business that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties and are based on current expectations and management's estimates; actual results may differ materially. The risks and uncertainties which could impact these statements are described in the Company's filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including its quarterly report on Form 10K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 1, 2009, and include, but are not limited to, the Company's dependence on principal customers; the Company's sensitivity to general economic conditions, including the current economic environment, changes in disposable income levels and consumer spending trends; increased fuel costs; the Company's sensitivity to inflationary pressures; the relatively low margins and economic sensitivity of the Company's business; the ability to identify and successfully complete acquisitions of other foodservice distributors; and management's allocation of capital and the timing of capital expenditures. Any forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and, as such, speak only as of the date made. The Company is not undertaking to update any information in the foregoing reports until the effective date of its future reports required by applicable laws. Any projections of future results of operations are based on a number of assumptions, many of which are outside the Company's control and should not be construed in any manner as a guarantee that such results will in fact occur. These projections are subject to change and could differ materially from final reported results. The Company may from time to time update these publicly announced projections, but it is not obligated to do so.
About ProLogis
ProLogis is a leading global provider of distribution facilities, with more than 475 million square feet of industrial space (44 million square meters) in markets across North America, Europe and Asia. The company leases its industrial facilities to more than 4,500 customers, including manufacturers, retailers, transportation companies, third-party logistics providers and other enterprises with large-scale distribution needs. For additional information about the company, go to http://www.prologis.com.
SOURCE United Natural Foods
Mark Shamber, Chief Financial Officer of United Natural Foods, +1-860-779-2800; or Joseph Calabrese, of Financial Relations Board, (General Information), +1-212-827-3772, jcalabrese@frbir.com, for United Natural Foods