Penske Logistics celebrated the grand opening of its new 606,000-square-foot build-to-suit standard freezer/cooler distribution center in Romulus, Mich., June 4, 2019.

Penske’s new facility is responsible for bringing more than 400 new jobs to the region and was opened to serve the food distribution needs of its customer, The Kroger Co. of Michigan.

“Our new distribution center to serve Kroger’s needs is fully operational,” said Marc Althen, president, Penske Logistics. “We are dedicated to providing customers with the state-of-the-art facilities they need to serve their own customers. The successful completion of this project would not have been possible without the support of Kroger, InSite Real Estate, ARCO Design/Build Inc., City of Romulus, Wayne County, Detroit Aerotropolis, Michigan Economic Development Corporation, and our highly valued associates. We sincerely appreciate and thank everyone for the strong collaboration and spirit of partnership on this project. We look forward to being a bigger part of the growing business community here in Romulus.”

InSite Real Estate led construction of the $98.5 million facility, which began in the fall of 2017 and concluded in the fall of 2018. Local on-site Penske Logistics management and workers were then gradually hired as food and beverage products were strategically moved into the facility.

A grant from the Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF), as well as tax incentive abatements requested through the Detroit Aerotropolis from the City of Romulus, and Wayne County played integral roles in the job creation and facility site selection.

 “Penske Logistics’ decision to choose Romulus for this expansion project over competing states underscores both the appeal and economic strength of Michigan as a place to do business,” said Jeff Mason, CEO of Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), the state’s chief marketing and business attraction arm that administers programs and performs due diligence on behalf of the MSF. “We are grateful to join the Detroit Region Aerotropolis Development Corporation, the city of Romulus and Wayne County in helping to drive Penske’s expansion here in Southeast Michigan. This project is creating hundreds of jobs for our citizens, and we look forward to continuing to work with the company as it grows further and brings more jobs to Michigan.”

The new distribution center, referred to as the Michigan Fresh Center, will help ensure Kroger’s Michigan stores and customers are readily supplied with fresh, frozen, and other wholesome foods.

“The new Michigan Fresh Center brings greater convenience to The Kroger Co. of Michigan and enables us to supply store locations with fresher product every day,” said Rachel Hurst, corporate affairs manager, The Kroger Co. of Michigan. “All products housed in the new distribution center are Kroger products and the facility will only service Kroger’s Michigan Division.”

The facility boasts 105 loading docks, -20°F freezers, 35°F coolers, an ambient temperature section, and ample space for commercial semi-trucks and trailers. Penske Logistics provides similar warehousing and distribution center management and trucking services to Kroger in other locations throughout the U.S.