FINDLAY, Ohio — Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. held a ceremonial groundbreaking Aug. 18 on a 1-million-square-foot regional distribution center that will be opened by Cooper in Whiteland, Ind.
The facility, which will replace Cooper's Franklin, Ind., distribution center near the new site, is expected to open in early 2021.
"Today's groundbreaking served as an excellent opportunity to celebrate the construction of this new distribution center that will allow Cooper to continue to provide high-quality service to our customers, and as an opportunity to thank those involved with the project," Mike Calabro, executive director — North America supply chain, said. "We are pleased to be able to hold this event, with proper coronavirus prevention measures in place, to ceremoniously break ground at the site."
The event was hosted by the town of Whiteland and real estate investment firm Mohr Capital. Representatives from those organizations along with Mr. Calabro and the county's Aspire Economic Development and Chamber Alliance addressed attendees.
The new Whiteland distribution center will provide Cooper with increased capacity for product storage and a modern design for enhanced efficiencies, the company said. The existing facility in Franklin spans 807,000 square feet.
Mohr Capital plans to invest $40 million in the building, $4.7 million to buy the property and $10 million to install logistics equipment at the site, according to its tax abatement application on file with the town.
Whiteland is a town of about 4,200 inhabitants located just a few miles north of Franklin and about 15 miles south of Indianapolis. It has nearby access to the Interstate system via I-65 and I-465.
The workforce from the Franklin facility will remain in place following the construction of the new building.
One of six regional distribution centers operated by Cooper in the U.S., the Whiteland facility is part of the company's North America distribution network which also includes three plant manufacturing warehouses and two mixing warehouses.