TrafficWorld

Formica Leases in Inland Empire

22 August 2006

Formica Corporation signed a long-term lease on 98,000 square feet of distribution space in Shafter, Calif., in that state’s Inland Empire, where the surface products company expects to add 40 new jobs.

“Being in the right place to implement a regional distribution strategy is important in today’s time-sensitive markets,” said Edward B.

Romanov, president and COO of The Allen Group, from which Formica leased the property at Allen’s International Trade and Transportation Center.

The shipper expects its new Western Region distribution hub, relocated from Rocklin, Calif., will allow it to reach 25 percent of Western region customers in one day, and 99 percent of them in two days.

“Formica Corp. will now be able to reach a greater number of customers, improve service capabilities and enjoy the strategic advantage of being located in the San Joaquin Valley,” Romanov said.

The Shafter facility’s layout will also serve as a model for other Formica distribution centers.

The International Trade and Transportation Center is a master-planned 700 acre logistics park with Foreign Trade Zone designation and affiliation with the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.