On Oct. 9, Mayor Andy Cook and Gov. Eric Holcomb announced Gordon Food Services will build a new, 50,000-square-foot distribution center in Westfield’s Northpoint Industrial Park, northeast of U.S. 31 and 196th Street.
The distribution center, which has plans to initially bring 200 new jobs with a potential for 400 total in the long term, is slated to open in late 2021.
“I am thrilled to welcome Gordon Food Service to Westfield,” Cook said. “We have worked hard to create a caring community that can attract and sustain this kind of investment. From experience, I am well aware that Gordon Food Service is an employee- and community-minded company. They will fit in perfectly here in Westfield.”
This will be the company’s 17th distribution center in the nation and its first in Indiana.
The facility will include three temperature zones to store products, a concept kitchen and administrative office space.
“The Westfield facility will be outfitted with the latest technology and warehouse automation innovation,” GFS CFO Dean Noble stated. “The robotics and interior layout will greatly reduce manual labor and help ensure the accuracy of orders shipped out to our customers.”
The new facility is semi-automated, meaning it will use mini-loaders, mini-shuttles and conveyors to assist staff. Jobs will include operation and maintenance of advanced warehouse equipment and robotics, transportation, sales and administrative positions. Training programs will be offered, and hourly wages will range from $20 to $25.
Up to $5 million in conditional tax credits is pending approval from The Indiana Economic Development Corp. If approved, the credits are performance based, so the company is not eligible for incentives until they hire employees. Westfield City Council is scheduled to consider additional incentives at its Nov. 11 meeting.
If incentives are approved, construction is scheduled to begin next spring.
