Walmart Opens New High-Tech Perishable Distribution Center; Tim Cooper and Ervin Goad Comment
LANCASTER, TX - The next step of Walmart’s ambitious supply chain transformation has been unveiled, bringing to light a brand-new, high-tech perishable distribution center (PDC) in Lancaster, Texas. The 730,000-square-foot facility will receive and process fresh produce and a variety of other perishable goods, with state-of-the-art technology that will allow the retailer to process more than double the volume of a traditional DC.
“Walmart is paving the way for good jobs and great careers in the region with the Lancaster perishable distribution center,” said Tim Cooper, Senior Vice President, Grocery Network Operations for Walmart U.S. “This is more than an investment, it's a commitment to our associates, our community, and our future.”
Located 15 miles south of Dallas, the new PDC is Walmart’s second Lancaster-based facility, complementing the next-generation fulfillment center that opened in 2023. The Lancaster PDC is Walmart’s second of five new high-tech perishable distribution centers.
Allowing the retailer to get items onto shelves faster than ever before, the facility’s high-tech systems drastically reduce the number of boxes an associate has to manually stack. As a press release shared, the store-ready pallets are built by department, making them easier to unload at the store while also maximizing space on trucks, reducing transportation costs, and creating savings that can be passed on to customers.
The facility is currently home to more than 500 full-time Walmart associates, and the retailer is currently hiring for a variety of tech-focused positions such as Automation Equipment Operator.
“We’re proud to create new opportunities for our associates, equipping them with the skills to manage the advanced robotics technology transforming our business,” said Ervin Goad, General Manager of the new facility. “Associates at the Lancaster facility will play a pivotal role in making sure our customers have the items they want, when they want them.”
More information on Walmart’s newest facility can be found here.
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