Tuesday October 17, 2023

REI Co-op Celebrates Grand Opening of Sustainable Distribution Facility

National specialty outdoor retailer REI Co-Op celebrated the opening of its newest distribution center in Lebanon, Tennessee, which will serve more than 60 stores and 5.6 million REI members in the area. Al. Neyer partnered with REI to develop, design, and build its fourth distribution center, and both organizations and Lebanon leaders gathered to celebrate its opening and employment of more than 230 full-time and part-time workers.

The co-op challenged Al. Neyer to think creatively about the facility’s design and operations to prioritize the employee experience and raise the bar in sustainability. The intentionality behind the details in the building’s design, as well as the consideration of its energy consumption, water conservation, and carbon impact, all deserve their own story in the coming weeks. The facility is projected to achieve LEED platinum, with an announcement coming soon from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

In addition to its emphasis on environmental sustainability, REI Distribution Center 4 prioritizes the employee experience by connecting workers to nature, a key part of the outdoor retailer’s brand. The building gives a nod to the Middle Tennessee landscape and offers employees a work environment that prioritizes their comfort and experience, an opportunity rarely available in warehousing and distribution jobs.

Read more about last week’s grand opening from REI Co-op:

National specialty outdoor retailer REI Co-op started fulfillment from its new state-of-the-art distribution center in Lebanon, Tennessee supporting its steady growth in the Midwest and Southeast. The new distribution center will serve more than 60 stores and 5.6 million REI members in the area. The facility’s design and operations prioritize the employee experience while setting a new standard to fight the climate crisis.

“We believe the climate crisis is the greatest threat to our business and the future of our planet. REI is leveraging its values and cooperative model to minimize our environmental footprint while serving the outdoor community,” says Sylvia Wilks, REI chief supply chain officer. “Our new Lebanon distribution center allows us to improve our delivery speed to customers and stores, increase our throughput capacity and agility, and lower costs all while achieving new sustainable building standards.”

Interested in learning more about this pioneering facility?
Check out Fast Company on How REI designed a warehouse where people actually want to work. For more on the Lebanon, TN site and selection of Al. Neyer as REI’s full-service real estate partner, read Inside the Deal from the Nashville Business Journal. 

Stay tuned for the official announcement of REI Distribution Center 4’s LEED certification.

 

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