Ahold Delhaize USA enters lease-back deal to advance distribution center development
Key takeaways
- Ahold Delhaize USA’s distribution center, spanning over one million square feet, signals stronger regional freight demand and supports long-term volume growth.
- Automation in the distribution center, supported by WITRON, points to faster throughput and tighter carrier appointment windows.
- A construction timeline extending to 2029 underscores the need for carriers to align capacity planning with phased facility ramp-ups.
Ahold Delhaize USA recently entered a definitive agreement under which funds managed by Blackstone Credit & Insurance will invest $475 million in connection with a triple-net lease transaction to construct a highly automated grocery distribution center in Burlington, North Carolina.
The company, which operates ADUSA Distribution and ADUSA Transportation to support its grocery retail supply chain network, will lease the facility for long-term use once construction is complete, with an option to purchase the site in the future under pre-agreed terms. Under the agreement, Blackstone Credit & Insurance will own the facility and cover all in-scope construction costs.
The Burlington distribution center will include modern automation and sustainability features. Construction is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2026, with operations anticipated to start in 2029. The site is expected to add more than one million square feet of distribution infrastructure and employ over 500 associates within ADUSA Distribution and ADUSA Transportation over time.
“At ADUSA Distribution and ADUSA Transportation, we are focused on delivering best-in-class service to the grocery brands we support,” Sanja Krajnovic, chief supply chain officer and EVP of ADUSA Distribution and ADUSA Transportation, stated. “The Burlington distribution center will be our largest facility in the network, enabling us to expand our capacity, implement new technology, and deploy automation capabilities as we modernize our supply chain. We look forward to welcoming new associates to our team who are passionate about serving the millions of customers who rely on our brands every week.”
