Tractor Supply Co. in October will begin outbound shipping to stores from its newest distribution center in Nampa, Idaho, the company said Wednesday.
The 865,000-square foot facility, which features 80 truck docks to optimize traffic flow, will serve 123 stores across nine states in its first year, with room to support more than 200 stores at full operational capacity. Its service area includes Oregon and Washington.
Brentwood, Tennessee-based Tractor Supply (NASDAQ: TSCO), invested more than $200 million to build the distribution center, which will employ 500 people. The location has additional acreage for future expansion.
At a grand opening ceremony, Chief Supply Chain Officer Craig Ledbetter said the distribution center will enable faster restocking of stores.
The rural lifestyle retailer has 10 other distribution centers across the country, but the one in Nampa is the first with an automated storage and retrieval system. The automated system, from Austria-based Knapp AG, operates entirely on lithium-ion battery power. Additionally, all Nampa managers are trained in AI fundamentals, and the site relies on a dedicated AI innovation team to apply practical artificial intelligence to operational needs, Tractor Supply said in a news release..
Construction on the facility began in December 2024 and was completed in July. Inventory receiving began last month.
Tractor Supply has 2,463 stores in 49 states and 209 Petsense stores in 23 states.
Why It Matters: Smart warehouse and technology investments can help retailers reduce costs and improve inventory flows.
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Write to Eric Kulisch at ekulisch@freightwaves.com.
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