New fresh DC opening in Minnesota

Walmart is enhancing its perishable supply chain in the upper Midwest with a new distribution center in Mankato, Minn., slated to open in early 2015.

The retailer broke ground late last month on the 420,000-sq.-ft. facility located a little more than an hour southwest of Minneapolis. Once open in the Spring of 2015 the DC will serve stores in Minnesota and neighboring states of Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

“We’re excited to celebrate this milestone in the development of the new Walmart distribution center with the city of Mankato,” said Joel Marpe, Walmart divisional VP of logistics. “We look forward to better serving our customers through the new distribution center by reducing the distance from farm to shelf, ensuring our stores can provide shoppers with fresher, healthier options.”

The facility, located at the intersection of North Victory Drive and Blue Earth County Rd. 12, will employ approximately 300 people and the majority of the positions will be full time, according to Walmart.

“We’re pleased to be the home of the new Walmart Distribution Center in Minnesota that will open pathways for employment opportunities and growth to our retail corridor,” said Mankato mayor Eric Anderson. “The City of Mankato is committed to promoting economic advancement in Minnesota and with the addition of the new distribution center, we will not only be making an impact on our city but across the entire greater Mankato region and upper Midwest.”