Benton Harbor, Mich. — Whirlpool has opened its twelfth regional distribution center this week with a new facility in Channahon, Ill., to serve the greater Chicago area.
The $21 million, 750,000 square-foot building is a full-mix, rail-served warehouse, storing products from all Whirlpool-built major appliance categories and brands.
It brings the number of Whirlpool regional DCs to 12.
“The expansion of our network is part of our ongoing commitment to provide the best service to continually meet our customers’ needs,” said Jim Keppler, integrated supply chain and quality VP. “Chicago is the perfect location for a new facility. We have a large base of retail and builder customers in the metro area, and it provides easy access to multiple modes of transportation.”
Keppler said Kenco, a third-party logistics provider, manages the warehouse in Chicago, and will employ 60 to 70 people when fully operational.
Shipments into the Chicago center have begun and the first outbound shipments to the company’s local distribution centers will start later this summer.
