Ryder announced the opening of a third multiclient omnichannel distribution centre in Columbus, Ohio, a key region for e-commerce fulfilment. At nearly 440,000 sq ft, the facility is the largest Ryder e-commerce distribution centre in the Columbus area, and it is the first to open under its new supply chain offering: Ryder E-Commerce by Whiplash.
Strategically located in the nation’s fastest-growing large metro area (according to US Census Bureau 2021 figures), the new Columbus distribution centre provides access to more Americans within 500 miles than any other major inland or coastal port, serving nearly 50% of the US population within a 10-hour truck drive.
The facility features 42 cross-dock positions, 99 trailer spaces, and offers a full range of logistics and value-added services. It also features automation enhancements, such as robot-assisted order picking, which enable warehouse workers to focus on higher-productivity tasks, reduce overall labour costs, improve safety and retention, and enable seamless scaling within the same footprint.
To support the new distribution centre located at 1225 Southgate Pkwy. in Etna, Ohio, Ryder expects to recruit a team of approximately 250 people to fill a variety of positions, including warehouse associates, engineers, leadership and management, and support roles.
Ryder now operates 22 multiclient and dedicated e-commerce facilities across the US, with the ability to deliver to 100% of the population within two days and 60% within one day.
Recently, Ryder announced another expansion of its e-commerce fulfilment and multiclient warehousing network with a new, high-tech 678,000 sq ft facility in the Atlanta area. The facility, with easy access to extensive highway and railroad networks, is scheduled for completion later this year.
“This new facility is well positioned to address the growing need for e-commerce distribution from the Midwest region to US retailers and consumers across the US with fast, cost-effective fulfilment and ground services. With three multiclient warehouses now in the Columbus area, we’re ideally situated to serve established and emerging brands that need either centrally located inventory in a single location or multiple distribution points—all with room to scale,” says Jeff Wolpov, senior vice president of Ryder e-commerce by Whiplash.
Source: Ryder
