WAKEFERN FOOD CORP. BREAKS GROUND FOR CONSTRUCTION OF NEW ELIZABETH WAREHOUSE FACILITY
Elizabeth, NJ – May 23, 2012 –Wakefern Food Corp. Chairman and CEO Joseph Colalillo and President Joe Sheridan, New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno, Elizabeth Mayor Christian Bollwage, and Elberon Development Co LLC’s Executives Anne Evans Estabrook and Dave Gibbons will break ground on Elberon’s new warehouse and distribution center for Wakefern Food Corp. next Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at 11 AM, at 600 York Street.
This 524,000 square-foot, temperature-controlled facility replaces the former Wakefern grocery warehouse and increases storage capabilities by more than fifty-eight percent. In addition to the expanded square footage, this new site will feature thirty-six foot high ceilings, increasing the storage space significantly compared to the industry- standard of 20 feet. Projected to bring more than 150 additional permanent jobs to the city over a ten year period, the facility will distribute non-perishable food products to ShopRite stores across NJ, NY, PA, CT, DE and MD.
In June 2011, Wakefern transitioned its non-perishable operations to a temporary facility in Carteret, NJ to allow for the demolition and subsequent re-construction of its original grocery warehouse in Elizabeth, which was built in the late 1950’s. This new location is expected to be complete in November 2013 and fully operational by May 2014.
“Wakefern’s investment in a new warehouse and distribution center is yet further evidence that the New Jersey Comeback is underway,” said Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno. “Working cooperatively with Wakefern to meet their business needs, we successfully secured the retention of its 345 warehouse jobs in New Jersey and look forward to the potential creation of new jobs associated with this project. This is the type of government New Jerseyans want, government that works constructively with business to grow our economy and create new jobs for New Jerseyans.”
“Wakefern has been a great partner with the City of Elizabeth for more than fifty years,” remarked Mayor J. Christian Bollwage. “This exciting expansion opens a new chapter in our relationship and demonstrates our commitment to job creation and Elizabeth’s business community.”
“Wakefern has a longstanding partnership with Elberon, operating warehouse and distribution capabilities from this location in Elizabeth for nearly fifty years, which supports more than 200 ShopRite stores throughout the Northeast. Continuing this partnership with the construction of this new facility will allow us to better serve our stores and our millions of ShopRite customers,” said Wakefern Chairman and CEO Joseph Colalillo. “We are thankful to Mayor Bollwage and local residents for continuing to welcome us as a member of their community and we look forward to returning home to our Elizabeth roots.”
Since it was founded in 1946, Wakefern has become the largest retailer-owned cooperative group of supermarkets in the United States. Employing an innovative approach to wholesale business services, Wakefern focuses on helping independent retailers compete in a big business world. Providing the tools entrepreneurs need to stay a step ahead of the competition, Wakefern’s wholesale client base benefits from the company’s extensive portfolio of services, including innovative technology, private label development, and best in-class procurement practices. Headquartered in Keasbey, New Jersey, Wakefern operates more than 2.5 million square feet of grocery and non-food warehousing.
“Our family has built and managed industrial real estate in Elizabeth for over fifty years. Wakefern was one of our first tenants. We continue the tradition started by our founder, David O. Evans, of providing quality warehouse facilities to companies who bring jobs and ratables to the City,” Anne Evans Estabrook, CEO of Elberon.
###
About Wakefern Food Corp.
From a small, struggling cooperative with eight members – all owners of their own grocery stores – Wakefern Food Corp. has grown into the largest retailer-owned cooperative in the United States. Founded in 1946, the cooperative is comprised of 47 members who today individually own and operate more than 240 supermarkets under the ShopRite banner in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware. In 1996, Wakefern introduced PriceRite stores, extending the company’s reach into Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Today, there are 47 PriceRite stores in five states. As the merchandising and distribution arm of both ShopRite and PriceRite, Wakefern, together with its member companies, employ more than 50,000 people; making it one of the largest employers in New Jersey. In addition, Wakefern also distributes products to other supermarkets throughout the northeastern United States and Bermuda. Wakefern was recently named one of the Best Places to Work in NJ by NJBIZ Magazine. In 2011, Supermarket News gave Wakefern its Retail Excellence Award and The Griffin Report named Wakefern its Retailer of the Year. For more information, please visit www.Wakefern.com.
