NEW KENT — AutoZone, the country’s top auto parts retailer, has announced that it is going to invest $185.2 million to establish a distribution center and warehouse in New Kent County.
According to a press release from the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the Memphis, Tenn. based company will build an 800,000 square-foot facility that will handle distribution as well as direct imports for the entire east coast. In total the center will bring 352 new jobs to the county.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the most recently reported unemployment rates in New Kent, James City, and York counties along with the City of Williamsburg was 2.5 percent.*
“AutoZone’s newest distribution operation in New Kent County will enable the company to easily access 47 percent of U.S. consumers within a one-day drive and global markets through The Port of Virginia,” said Virginia’s Secretary of Commerce and Trade Caren Merrick. “With more than 4,600 supply chain operations located throughout the Commonwealth, Virginia has emerged as a premier logistics destination serving as a single gateway into critical customer markets. We look forward to a continued partnership with AutoZone.”
AutoZone has been in business since 1979 and is the leading retailer and distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories in the Americas. Currently there are more than 145 stores in Virginia and more than 700 in the surrounding states.
“During our rigorous and competitive search process to identify our next distribution center location, Virginia and New Kent County leadership were tremendous and instrumental in us deciding to join this wonderful community,” said Bill Rhodes, AutoZone Chairman, President, and CEO. “Our large-scale investment in New Kent County is an important part of our strategy for accelerated growth and represents our commitment to always put customers first.”
* Data set reported for December 2021.