PORTLAND, Ore. — Johnstone Supply celebrated the grand opening of its new Texas distribution center facility with an open house and festivities. According to the company, the official opening marks the latest achievement in the cooperative’s ongoing capital investments in improved delivery times, accuracy, and expanded region-specific products for customers.

The festivities included facility tours, a supplier trade show with over 50 manufacturers in attendance, Texas BBQ, and two pro football legends along with the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders. The new facility is managed by Johnstone veteran Chuck O’Connor, and created 36 new full-time positions for the local economy. In addition to implementing Johnstone’s floor layout and IT system, structural improvements made to the class-A distribution facility included 7,500 square feet of office space, a HazMat room, and more than 28 truck loading docks. The location was in part chosen to benefit logistically from its proximity to the I-20 and I-35E interstate highways.

“With this fantastic new facility now fully operational we are confident we have the best national distribution system in the industry,” said Ray Kernagis, Johnstone vice president, supply chain. “The new Texas DC is also giving Johnstone stores in the Southwest Region enhanced access to weather-specific product offerings and inventory suited to Southwest contractor needs.”

Johnstone Supply reported that it strategically sited the new Southwest Distribution Center facility in Lancaster, Texas, the south Dallas Metroplex area, in response to strong sales and demand in the region. It is expected to serve customers across the South Central United States.

“Our strategic distribution center expansion plan is based on continual improvement to our operations and our customer service. We are never satisfied with the status quo,” said Johnstone CEO DeWight Wallace. “It reinforces our determination to provide customers the best service and delivery times in the industry.”  Wallace said that Johnstone’s next objective is the implementation of a new warehouse management system to take its distribution center operations to a new level, with more complete access to real-time stocking and delivery data.

 The Texas Distribution Center marks the fifth new distribution center in the last nine years for the national Johnstone network. It covers 156,000 square feet, and “boasts a state-of-the-art warehouse layout and IT support system.”

Visit www.johnstonesupply.com for more information.