Today, Walmart hosted a grand opening celebration to commemorate the official opening of its new $135 million Distribution Center in Mobile, Alabama. The event was a culmination of a multi-year effort, supported by state and local officials and community members, to strengthen Walmart’s supply chain network while creating more than 750 quality jobs.

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Walmart executives, Governor Kay Ivey and local and state officials celebrate the grand opening of t ...

Walmart executives, Governor Kay Ivey and local and state officials celebrate the grand opening of the $135 million import distribution center in Irvington. The distribution center will help support more than 700 Walmart stores across the South. (Photo: Business Wire)

During the ceremony, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey and local officials highlighted the many benefits the new Distribution Center will bring to the area, including increased regional economic growth and local career opportunities with a path for advancement.

“Walmart proves to be a great corporate partner to the state of Alabama, year after year, by investing in its stores, its employees and the surrounding community. Their commitment cannot be better proven than by the opening of this new Distribution Center, which, when fully operational, will provide approximately 750 quality jobs in the Mobile area,” said Governor Ivey. “We are grateful to Walmart for supporting the economic health of the Port City, and for the large role they play in propelling our great state forward.”

Announced in March 2017, the new storage and cross-dock facility will supply several regional distribution centers that support approximately 700 Walmart stores in Alabama, Mississippi and beyond.

“We are excited about how this facility will help us better serve our customers across the South and beyond, while creating a positive economic impact locally through job creation and future development,” said Jeff Breazeale, Walmart Vice President, Direct Import Logistics. “We are grateful to the State of Alabama, Mobile County, the City of Mobile, the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce and the Alabama State Port Authority for the warm welcome we have received here, and we look forward to a strong partnership with the community for years to come.”

Mobile Import Distribution Center Facts

  • Approximate investment: $135 million
  • One building spanning 2.6 million square feet
  • 60 acres under one roof
  • Associates: Currently more than 575 full-time with plans to be at 750 once fully operational
  • Managers: Approximately 50 full-time
  • Sixth import distribution center in the nation
  • Will help serve approximately 700 Walmart stores in Alabama, Mississippi and beyond

When fully operational, the distribution center will employ more than 750 full-time associates with wages currently averaging $16.50 an hour. Salaried associates in Mobile are expected to earn $50,000 or more a year and will be eligible for additional annual incentives.

“A major foundation of our company’s strong culture is our commitment to ‘strive for excellence.’ My team and I are excited to offer so many residents the opportunity to build a career,” said Barry Westbrooks, General Manager, Mobile Distribution Center. “Through two successful job fairs, we have filled more than 550 associate positions thus far, and look forward to the positive impact this facility will have on our associates and the customers we are fortunate to serve.”

The Mobile Distribution Center complements Walmart’s real estate presence of more than 145 Walmart and Sam’s Club locations in Alabama, employing nearly 38,000 associates across the state. This will be the sixth import distribution center in the nation.

Today’s event also highlighted Walmart’s support of the community, as Walmart associates presented approximately $20,000 to various organizations in the Mobile area, including Alma Bryant High School, Theodore High School, Bishop State Community College, St. Elmo Elementary School, Feeding the Gulf Coast, St. Elmo Fire Department and the Mobile County Sheriff’s Department.

About Walmart in Alabama

Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) helps people around the world save money and live better - anytime and anywhere - in retail stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, over 270 million customers and members visit our more than 11,700 stores under nearly 65 banners in 28 countries and eCommerce websites. In Alabama we serve customers at 145 retail units and online through Walmart Grocery Pickup, Walmart.com and Jet.com. We are proud to employ nearly 38,000 associates in Alabama. Walmart supports local businesses, spending $1.1 billion with Alabama suppliers in FY17, which supported more than 25,000 supplier jobs. Learn more at the Walmart Today blog, and our Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram channels.