Facility in South Carolina will support more than 1,000 stores

SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Rite Aid Corp. has opened a new distribution center here, the company’s first new distribution center in 16 years.

John Standley, Rite Aid chairman and chief executive officer and Ken Martindale, CEO of Rite Aid Stores and president of Rite Aid Corp., were joined by South Carolina secretary of commerce Bobby Hitt and several other state, city and community officials for a grand opening event and ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday.

“We’re excited to celebrate the grand opening of our newest distribution center in Spartanburg, our first in 16 years,” said Standley. “Featuring highly efficient and advanced technologies, this facility will play a crucial role in our company’s supply chain, supporting more than 1,000 Rite Aid stores across the southeastern United States, and help us deliver a superior customer experience.”

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley noted in a statement that the facility will bring approximately 600 new jobs to the state.

The 900,000-square-foot distribution center sits on 97 acres and is located near Interstate 85 between Highways 9 and 221. The building features high-efficiency LED and T5 fluorescent light fixtures and occupancy sensor-controlled warehouse lighting; an on-site truck maintenance facility, including a fueling station, trailer weigh scale and wash area; high-speed automated palletizers, ergonomically designed manual palletizing stations and automatic label applicators; a state-of-the-art warehouse and labor management system; voice pick technology; and 60,000 square feet of office space, including an associate cafeteria, fitness center and other amenities.

“As a state with a dynamic transportation, distribution and logistics sector, we’re proud to see yet another nationally recognized company establish distribution operations within our borders. Today, we celebrate the opening of this new Rite Aid facility, as well as the remarkable impact it will have on our Upstate community,” commented Hitt. “I look forward to watching them succeed here for many years to come.”

As part of the grand opening celebration, the Rite Aid Foundation presented a $25,000 donation to Boys & Girls Clubs of the Upstate. The donation will to be used to expand and support the programs and services offered by the Club at Mary H. Wright Elementary School.

Rite Aid worked with Johnson Development Associates, a leading real estate development firm based here in Spartanburg, to design and build the new facility.

In South Carolina, Rite Aid employs 1,531 people at its 91 stores and distribution center.