WALTON, Ky. — Fisher Auto Parts has opened a 420,000-sq.-ft. distribution facility in Walton that ultimately will be able to provide product for up to 250 of its own and customer locations.
According to Fisher Auto Parts President Herb Godschalk, the facility is located on 26 acres and is situated 1 mile off of Interstate-75, 11 miles south of Cincinnati, Ohio. Fisher, which covers 500 markets in 18 states, said the area ranks among the company's top 10 regions.
The location, acquired through an online auction, includes 236,000 square feet of existing building footprint, 78,000 square feet of expansion on existing land, and 106,000 square feet of space in the mezzanine.
According to Fisher, Diane Woodson, vice president of real estate, did extensive site evaluations and led the effort to acquire the location. The automated distribution center is fully operational. The purchase price was not disclosed.
"We believe in the adage that no matter what our lot in life, we should build something on it," Mr. Godschalk said. "While there are much larger competitors, due to the highly capable team that we are honored to work with, we can be proud of our past results."
The state-of-the-art facility includes software from Fortna, a global automation, engineering services and software company, and includes logistical and material handling technologies, paperless warehouse management software, DC modeler inventory optimization software, picking modules and new lift equipment.
The facility has 34 loading docks, conveyor systems and expedited will-call local delivery.
"We are especially grateful during these challenging times to all of our channel partners including customers, suppliers, APSG associates, and in particular team members for their unwavering dedication to outstanding customer service," Mr. Godschalk said.
All of Fisher's nine, paperless distribution centers are linked daily, the company said, providing overnight delivery from a company-owned fleet. Fisher said its fill rates exceed 94%.
In addition, Fisher is upgrading stores in the Kentucky/Ohio region into hub stores as part of increasing the overall number of company-owned hub stores.
Among the company initiatives are enhanced inventory availability while adding more stores and supplementing service levels, including "Out the Door in 4" minutes or less.
Fisher Auto Parts was founded in 1929, has around 500 company-owned locations plus more than 100 independent jobbers in 18 states. It is a member of Federated and the Automotive Parts Services Group (APSG).