PROVIDENCE, R.I.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--United Natural Foods, Inc. (Nasdaq: UNFI) (the "Company") today announced that it plans to open a 450,000 square foot distribution center in Gilroy, California in August bringing approximately 500 new jobs to the local community. The facility is being designed and constructed using sustainable practices and is expected to achieve LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification.
UNFI will hire employees for a range of positions at the Gilroy center including: Managers, Supervisors, Class A CDL Drivers, Warehouse Workers, Fork Lift Drivers, Inventory Control, Safety, Maintenance, and Sanitation. The Company plans to host job fairs in late May with additional details to be released in the following weeks. Available positions will be posted atwww.unfi.com/careers.
The new Gilroy facility is part of UNFI’s initiative to expand its market reach into the Bay Area and build upon its existing distribution network in California, which includes distribution facilities in Rocklin and Moreno Valley. The distribution center will enable UNFI to further enhance distribution efficiencies, lower operating costs, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Highlights of the sustainable design elements include:
- Energy efficient LED lighting and CO2 refrigeration systems
- Automation systems that include controls for lighting and refrigeration; optimization of energy use anticipated to reduce energy costs over 26%
- Efficient fixtures will reduce water use by 50%
- Use of onsite ponds and bio retention designs will limit projects' impact on the environment by reducing storm water runoff
The facility is located at 6351 Cameron Blvd in Gilroy, California.
About United Natural Foods
United Natural Foods, Inc. (http://www.unfi.com) carries and distributes more than 80,000 products to more than 40,000 customer locations throughout the United States and Canada. The Company serves a wide variety of retail formats including conventional supermarket chains, natural product superstores, independent retail operators and the food service channel. United Natural Foods, Inc. was ranked by Forbes Magazine in 2014 as one of “America's Best Managed Companies,” ranked by Fortune in 2012 as one of its “Most Admired American Companies,” and chosen by Food Logistics Magazine as one of its 2012 Top 20 Green Providers.
