Sysco finishes Tennessee distribution center

Houston TX-based Sysco Corporation has completed a 353,000-square-foot broadline foodservice distribution center in Knoxville TN. Designated Sysco Foodservices of Knoxville LLC, this new operation will begin service May 12, 2008, to customers in eastern Tennessee, western North Carolina, southwestern Virginia, and southeastern Kentucky.

Situtated on 44 acres north of downtown Knoxville, the facility will offer innovations including two robotic mechanized product storage and retrieval systems, lighting control systems to cut electrical consumption, a generator that can maintain full operating capacity should a power interruption occur, and a culinary training and evaluation center.

This plant has freezer, cooler, and ambient storage areas, as well as a refrigerated dock, administrative offices, and a four-bay truck maintenance facility.

Tommy Dail is president and chief executive officer of the new firm, which initially will have more than 250 employees.