Feature Image: A 25-story, 385-foot-high mixed-use building is set to break ground in 2025 at 800 Grand Ave., replacing an existing parking garage. Image courtesy of BR Cos. | Rendering credit: Hoefer Welker
To better serve its customers and speed up delivery of its world-class health and wellness products, Melaleuca plans to open a 508,000-SF distribution center and warehouse at 11401 N. Congress Avenue in KC’s Northland.
As a manufacturer and online retailer of over 450 exclusive health and wellness products, Melaleuca will invest at least $35.5 million into the facility and create more than 200 jobs within its first year of operation. Melaleuca expects the facility to be ready in early 2022 after completing an extensive retrofit of the plant formerly owned by Harley Davidson.
Since it was founded in September 1985, Melaleuca has grown into one of America’s largest online retailers, offering wellness products in the categories of nutrition, personal care, home cleaning and cosmetics. Much like Amazon, Melaleuca customers order online, and products are shipped directly to the customer’s home.
“Our products are being enthusiastically embraced throughout the world. Although Melaleuca has experienced periods of explosive growth over the years, consumers are flocking to Melaleuca now more than ever because they are concerned about their family’s overall health. They are searching for effective, safe, natural health and wellness products, which is Melaleuca’s specialty. When it comes to their health, people don’t want to take shortcuts, and they are relying on Melaleuca’s superior product line to enjoy healthier, more vibrant lives,” said Melaleuca CEO, Frank VanderSloot.
Melaleuca anticipates this new distribution center will not only speed up online delivery for customers throughout the Midwest, but also enable faster e-commerce shipping across the country.
In combination with its state-of-the-art distribution centers in Idaho Falls and Tennessee, Melaleuca is creating a logistics network so its products can reach the majority of its U.S.-based customers within two days of ordering.
“Melaleuca’s expansion into Kansas City, Missouri is significant for our community, and the new jobs created will help more Kansas Citians prosper through these challenging economic times,” said T’Risa McCord, interim president CEO of the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, Missouri.
“In the last 12 months, companies including Melaleuca, Inc. have selected the KC region to create more than $1 billion in capital investment and over 3,700 jobs,” said Tim Cowden, president and CEO of the Kansas City Area Development Council.
In early 2021, Melaleuca plans to hire plant administration and other leadership as the facility is being renovated. Candidates will be able to apply at MelaleucaJobs.com.
“The KC SmartPort team continues to position Kansas City’s advantages as a logistics hub including our region’s location, available workforce, community benefits and vertical readiness,” Cowden said.
