WinCo Foods blueprinting giant robotic facility in Central Washington
WinCo Foods eyes massive grocery distribution center in Ellensburg - Submits plans for a massive facility in Central Washington
Ellensburg Anticipates Groundbreaking WinCo Foods Automated Robotics Distribution Center
Ellensburg, a vibrant city nestled in the heart of Washington State, may soon witness a groundbreaking development that proposes to reshape the way groceries are distributed in the Pacific Northwest. WinCo Foods Inc., the esteemed supermarket chain known for its exceptional service and quality products, is considering announcing its plans for a state-of-the-art automated robotics distribution center in Ellensburg.
With a vision to potentially optimize their operations and enhance their distribution network, WinCo Foods has been contemplating Ellensburg as a potential site for their latest venture. Preliminary documents submitted to the city suggest that WinCo Foods aims to potentially establish a cutting-edge automated distribution center, strategically located west of Anderson Road, comprising five parcels and potentially spanning an impressive 1 million square feet.
The town has a height limit for industrial facilities of 35 feet tall, but the WinCo building would rise 115. The height variance was approved May 11th, the Ellensburg Daily Record reported. The warehouse building would be just shorter than the tallest building in the city, the 120-foot tall Barge Hall on the Central Washington University campus.
If realized, this facility would primarily serve logistical purposes and would not cater to consumer shopping. However, its potential significance cannot be overstated, as it could potentially revolutionize the way WinCo Foods delivers products to its stores throughout the Pacific Northwest. The proposed development, if approved, would potentially occupy over 100 acres, featuring a vast automated grocery distribution warehouse spanning over 1.1 million square feet.
Additionally, the facility could potentially include a truck returns warehouse spanning approximately 47,000 square feet, a driver waiting building covering nearly 800 square feet, and a check-in building occupying an area of almost 400 square feet. These facilities, if constructed, would work in tandem to potentially streamline the distribution process, aiming for efficient and timely deliveries to WinCo Foods stores.
According to Ellensburg's Planning Manager, Jeremy Johnston, the proposed distribution center would potentially employ a sophisticated world-class very advanced warehouse automated robotic ASRS system. This cutting-edge technology, if implemented, could revolutionize the sorting and movement of items within the facility, potentially allowing for seamless organization and efficient distribution of dry goods, frozen foods, and refrigerated items. The proposed facility would become the most modern grocery warehouse on the West Coast.
In 2020, the Puget Sound Business Journal reported that WinCo was searching for a large-scale warehouse in the Seattle area, but such a facility never materialized. The Ellensburg project has been quietly progressing through the approval process within the city, but it recently caught the attention of the Ellensburg Daily Record, which first reported on it last week.
WinCo Foods already operates a distribution center in Boise, encompassing 700,000 square feet of space. The company applied in late 2021 to more than double the center's size, bringing it to over 1.6 million square feet. With distribution centers across the Western US, including locations in Phoenix, AZ, Denton, TX, and Modesto, CA, WinCo Foods has established itself as a leading player in the grocery industry. The company, which is the second-largest employee-owned company in the US, boasts more than 21,000 employees and operates 140 store locations.
A sign for a proposed WinCo distribution center proposed off Anderson Road in Ellensburg, Washington State.
The potential excitement surrounding this development is substantial, with Ellensburg residents eagerly awaiting further updates on the economic benefits and employment opportunities it may bring to the community. Notably, WinCo Foods Inc. is a privately held and majority employee-owned company, which could potentially reflect their commitment to the well-being of their workforce and the communities they serve.
The city of Ellensburg has played a pivotal role in potentially facilitating the state-of-the-art modern facility. A height variance public hearing, held on May 11, reportedly received overwhelming support and is currently under consideration. If approved, WinCo Foods can potentially move forward with their boundary adjustment application and subsequent building permit application. However, at this stage, no specific timeline for the completion of the facility has been provided.
As WinCo Foods contemplates this pivotal supply chain project, they express their gratitude to the city of Ellensburg and its residents for their potential support and cooperation. The collaboration between WinCo Foods and the city is a good example of a shared commitment to potential innovation, economic growth, and community development.
The future of grocery distribution may be on the horizon, and WinCo Foods potentially aims to lead the charge. The proposed automation distribution center in Ellensburg could potentially revolutionize the way groceries are transported, aiming to ensure the freshest and highest-quality products make their way to WinCo Foods stores across the Pacific Northwest.
Stay tuned for further updates as WinCo Foods and the city of Ellensburg potentially work hand in hand to bring this visionary project to life. If realized, the automation distribution center has the potential to redefine efficiency, reliability, and customer satisfaction, potentially solidifying WinCo Foods' position as a frontrunner in the supermarket industry. Exciting times potentially lie ahead, and the residents of Ellensburg could potentially claim their place in shaping the future of grocery distribution.
