PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Today, David Lenhardt, CEO of PetSmart, was joined by Lt. Governor Jim
Cawley of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Congressman Charlie Dent
(PA-15) at the grand opening of PetSmart's new distribution center (DC)
in Berks County, PA. This DC brings an estimated 500 jobs to Berks
County by the end of 2016. The 870,000 square foot facility will serve
25 percent of PetSmart's stores in eleven states, handling and
delivering consumables, hard goods and fish to 170 PetSmart stores in
2014 and more than 260 stores by 2015.
“I am proud to stand with all of you today to celebrate a partnership
that resulted in PetSmart bringing 500 new jobs to Berks County,” said
Lt. Governor Jim Cawley. “This investment by PetSmart reaffirms
Pennsylvania's role as the keystone state to U.S. markets and is a
testament to the talent and available workforce here in the region.”
The $50 million facility is the result of PetSmart's growth and
increased demands on its supply chain. Within proximity of more high
volume stores, the new build-to-suit DC will provide transportation
savings and enable a significant percentage of PetSmart's over 1,240
stores to be serviced from this location.
“We are excited for PetSmart to become a part of the local Bethel
community,” said PetSmart CEO David Lenhardt. “PetSmart operates 55
stores and employs more than 2,000 people throughout the commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, and the opening of this new facility is a continuation of
our commitment to growing in this area of the country. We look forward
to providing opportunities for our existing associates as well as adding
new team members from Bethel and the surrounding areas.”
About PetSmart
PetSmart,
Inc. (NASDAQ: PETM) is the largest specialty pet retailer of
services and solutions for the lifetime needs of pets. The company
employs approximately 53,000 associates and operates more than 1,333 pet
stores in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, over 199 in-store PetSmart®
PetsHotel® dog and cat boarding facilities
and is a leading online provider of pet supplies and pet care
information (http://www.petsmart.com).
PetSmart provides a broad range of competitively priced pet food and pet
products; and offers dog training, pet grooming, pet boarding, PetSmart
Doggie Day CampSM day care services and pet
adoption services. Through its in-store pet adoption partnership with
PetSmart Charities® and PetSmart Charities® of Canada, PetSmart has
helped save the lives of more than 5.7 million pets since 1994. PetSmart
Charities, Inc. and PetSmart Charities of Canada (collectively “PetSmart
Charities”) are independent, nonprofit organizations that save the lives
of homeless pets and reduce shelter intake through spay and neuter
efforts. In 2013, nearly 440,000 dogs and cats found homes through
PetSmart Charities' adoption centers in all PetSmart stores and by
sponsoring community adoption events. PetSmart Charities is the leader
in granting money to help pets in need, with more than $34 million given
in 2013 throughout North America.
