Wal-Mart to build new DC in California

Wal-Mart to build new DC in California    Wal-Mart Stores said it plans to open a food distribution center in Barstow, Calif. within two years to supply its Supercenters. Construction is expected to start in late 2006 and be completed in 2008.
   There are seven Wal-Mart Supercenters in California.
   Wal-Mart, which has been battered by negative publicity about the impact of its stores on local communities, was quick to point out in a news release that the warehouse is an example of good corporate citizenship and cooperation with local officials.
   The retailer said the facility will create at least 500 full-time jobs with health care, retirement and other benefits.
   Wal-Mart also said it is working to reduce pollution from trucks that will serve the distribution center. It said it recently joined the Environmental Protection Agency’s Smartway Program, a voluntary initiative that encourages carriers to adopt more efficient technologies and management practices to reduce diesel fuel emissions. Wal-Mart, which operates one of the largest private truck fleet in the nation, plans to implement new technology that the trucking industry is beginning to adopt to supply energy to tractor rigs at rest so they don’t have to idle and burn fuel.
   Wal-Mart Chief Executive Lee Scott recently laid out a “green” strategy for Wal-Mart that includes increasing the efficiency of its fleet by 25 percent during the next three years.