Amazon expands supply chain presence in Alabama
Amazon is expanding its fulfillment center footprint in Alabama with four new facilities. and plans to open three more new operations facilities there.
The e-tail giant has opened a new non-sortable fulfillment center in Huntsville, Ala., the first of two fulfillment centers in the area. This nearly 1 million-sq.-ft. facility has created hundreds of full-time jobs and is designed for Amazon employees to pick, pack, and ship larger items to customers, such as bulk paper goods, outdoor equipment, or rugs, to customers across the state. Additionally, the center utilizes energy-efficient, zero-emission power industrialized truck (PIT) equipment.
Later in November 2021, Amazon plans to expand its delivery services in greater Birmingham, Ala. This new station will employ approximately 150 people.
In 2022, Amazon will open its third fulfillment center in Huntsville, Ala. This “XL” non-sortable facility is designed to receive, store, and package heavy or bulky items like home appliances. The 1 million-sq.-ft. facility will provide more than 250 full-time jobs and will utilize energy-efficient, zero-emission power industrialized truck (PIT) equipment.
Also in 2022, Amazon will open an inbound cross dock facility that will receive and consolidate items from vendors and facilitate shipment to fulfillment centers. This 650,000-sq.-ft. facility is expected to provide more than 500 full-time jobs.
In response to continuing global supply chain disruptions, Amazon says it has hired more employees and bolstered its technology and transportation capabilities to create a supply chain environment focused on safety, speed, and efficiency. Amazon is implementing technology to better forecast customer demand, and working more closely with its vendors and selling partners to place products in fulfillment locations close to customers.
In addition to its hiring blitz for 125,000 new supply chain employees, Amazon has opened more than 250 new fulfillment centers, sortation centers, regional air hubs, and delivery stations in the U.S during 2021, including over 100 new buildings in September 2021 alone.
“We are proud to continue our investment in Alabama with thousands of good jobs and new, state-of-the-art operations facilities,” said Brian Huseman, VP of public policy at Amazon. “Our success would not be possible without our great employees and we are grateful for the enthusiasm and strong state and local support we have received since first launching operations in 2020. We look forward to continued investment as we innovate and grow to better serve our customers across the state.”
Amazon says it has created more than 9,000 direct jobs statewide and invested more than $1 billion in Alabama in infrastructure and compensation to employees. The company plans to add more than 500 full-time jobs to its operation by the end of 2021 and have created more than 1,800 seasonal positions across the state in preparation for the holiday season. The fulfillment and transportation jobs pay a minimum starting wage of $15 per hour, provide comprehensive health benefits on the first day of employment, paid time off, and up to 20 weeks of fully paid parental leave.