Spectrum Brands will move into Inland Port XXXIII at LPKC, pictured here toward the bottom righthand corner. [Click to enlarge]
Kansas City's industrial market is off to a hot start in 2017 with the announcement that a single tenant would soon take up residence at a massive new facility at Logistics Park KC in Edgerton, Kan.
Spectrum Brands Hardware and Home Improvement division will eat up all 927,112 square feet of distribution space at Inland Port XXXIII at LPKC. Built in March 2016, this industrial building is the largest to ever be constructed in Kansas City on a speculative basis.
"Its central location, access to a strong and available workforce with on-site recruitment and training assistance continues to illustrate why companies like Spectrum Brands HHI choose to locate in LPKC,” said City of Edgerton Mayor Donald Roberts. “Easier and efficient access to the supply chain and the well-known Midwestern work ethic that our community embodies was also a deciding factor. We look forward to welcoming Spectrum Brands HHI as part of the Edgerton community and building partnerships together.”
The new Edgerton facility will house centralized operations from Spectrum Brands' two existing distribution facilities in Charlotte, N.C., and Mira Loma, Calif. The company will begin transitioning operations to Edgerton immediately. By March, Spectrum will begin receiving inventory at its now home, and by April, it will begin shipping from its new LPKC distribution center. When complete, Spectrum Brands will have roughly 315 jobs in Kansas.
“Spectrum Brands HHI initiated a study of our existing distribution and fulfillment network in December with the intent of identifying the best option for the business to increase distribution capabilities and service levels, provide room for expansion, reduce overall inventory levels, and improve cost management,” Spectrum spokesperson Phil Szuba said. “After completing our analysis, we determined that centralizing distribution operations in Edgerton will enable Spectrum Brands HHI to more efficiently serve our customers with lower inventory levels while establishing a platform for future growth.”
While Spectrum Brands is looking to open its new facility in Edgerton, the implementation of the project still hinges upon the formal approval of workforce, equipment, and other incentives from state and local organizations.
Partner organizations on the project include the Kansas Department of Commerce, Kansas Department of Transportation, BNSF Railway, NorthPoint Development, KCP&L, and the City of Edgerton.