Dollar Tree Stores to build fully automated DC in Pennsylvania to serve Mid-Atlantic, New England outlets

Chesapeake, Virginia, based Dollar Tree Stores Inc., which operates about 1,600 dollar-stores in 36 U.S. states, said it would build a 603,000-square-foot distribution center (DC) in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

The DC, on 75 acres in the municipality of Briar Creek, is next to Interstate 80. Dollar Tree, the nation's largest operator of discount stores, said the Briar Creek facility, set for completion in 2002, would replace a center in Philadelphia added to the company's logistics network through a recent merger with Dollar Express.

Steve White, senior vice president of logistics for Dollar Tree, said the company began its site search in May. He said that Briar Creek fit the company's logistics model and offered "superior" interstate-system access to New England. He also said that the state of Pennsylvania's efforts to lure business played a role in the decision.

White said that the fully automated DC would provide product for Dollar Tree stores in the Mid Atlantic states and in New England. Sales it will support are expected to total $600 million.

The facility will be able to be expanded to 1 million square feet, the company said.

Dollar Tree said the DC would require a capital investment of $38 million and create about 150 jobs.

The company added that its sixth DC, in Savannah, Georgia, is being built and is on schedule to be opened early next year.

Edited by Michael Lear-Olimpi, Managing Editor, Logistics Online