Online giant bolsters fulfillment fleet as it enters new territory

Amazon continues to expand its footprint of distribution centers.



Amazon is set to break ground on its first fulfillment center in the state of Oregon. The 855,000-sq.-ft. facility, which will be located in Troutdale, will augment the company’s sortation center in Hillsboro, and Prime Now hub in Portland.



The retailer is also preparing to open a new distribution center in Connecticut — its third fulfillment center in the state. Amazon already operates facilities in Wallingford and Windsor.



This 855,000-sq.-ft. building will be located in North Haven. Similar to the Troutdale facility, employees will pick, pack and ship customer items such as electronics, books and toys.



Both facilities will create 1,500 jobs respectively, for a total of 3,000 new jobs, and employees in both buildings will be tasked with picking, packing, and shipping smaller customer items, such as books, electronics and toys. However, the North Haven facility will feature innovative technology such as Amazon Robotics that will assist employees in fulfilling customer orders, according to the company.



“Five years after announcing our first fulfillment center in Connecticut, we’re excited to open a new, state-of-the-art fulfillment center in North Haven, creating 1,500 full-time jobs that offer wages 30% higher than traditional retail roles, and include comprehensive benefits on day one, bonuses and stock awards,” said Akash Chauhan, Amazon’s VP of North America Operations.