Distribution Center

chambersburg@herald-mail.com CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - One year after announcing it would open a giant book distribution center that would bring 500 jobs to Chambersburg, Ingram Book Group kept its word and dedicated the new facility Thursday. The 650,000-square-foot center - encompassing more than 15 acres - is on Garber Road, just north of Pa. 316. Ingram moved its operations at a smaller facility on Sheffler Drive and about 100 employees to the new location. There are 420 employees at the distribution center, which opened about two months ago, and officials expect that number to grow to 600 in the next three years.

HAGERSTOWN -- A division of the world's leading cereal-maker is to open a warehouse distribution center near Hagerstown this summer, a local official said Wednesday. "I can confirm that a division of Kellogg's is coming," said Tim Troxell, executive director of the Hagerstown-Washington County Economic Development Commission. "Obviously, we're very excited to have a corporate name of that significance coming," Troxell said. He said Kellogg Co. has asked him not to disclose which division is coming or how many jobs it will bring.

martinsburg@herald-mail.com MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - Variform, a company that produces vinyl siding, plans to move its Williamsport distribution center to the old Corning/World Kitchen plant in Martinsburg, a few miles from its existing production plant, a Variform official said. A press release issued Wednesday from Gov. Joe Manchin's office said 50 jobs will be created as a result of the expansion. Jeff Kratzer, manager of Variform's existing Martinsburg plant, declined to say whether the jobs held by Williamsport workers will be moved, or whether the expansion involves creating new jobs.

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - Fourteen months after he walked with a prospective development client across a muddy field near the Berkeley County airport, Rick Wachtel marveled Tuesday at the new S. Schwab Co. distribution center. "I want to welcome another chapter to what we hope will be a continual best-seller at the Eastern Regional Airport," said Wachtel, the head of the county's Airport Authority. S. Schwab will use the center to distribute Ralph Lauren Childrenswear. The company expects to have about 140 employees working in the 187,000-square-foot facility by July.

The new warehouse distribution center that Kellogg Co. is opening near Hagerstown this summer will employ about 50 people, a spokeswoman said Tuesday. The center will be used by Kellogg's snacks division, spokeswoman Thuy-An Wilkins said from the company's Battle Creek, Mich., headquarters. It is to open in July, she said. It isn't yet clear, however, how many of the 50 jobs will be offered to area residents. Wilkins said Kellogg Snacks is closing two distribution centers in the region.

By RICHARD F. BELISLE Staff Writer CHAMBERSBURG, Pa.- Industrial development officials in Chambersburg sold off another chunk of land in the Chambers 5 Business Park, this time to a Nevada firm that will build and lease distribution and warehouse space in a project that could eventually mean 100 new jobs. The buyer, Dermody Owen, LCC of Reno, Nev., is the largest private land development company in Nevada, said David G. Sciamanna, executive director of the Chambersburg Area Development Corp.

WASHINGTON COUNTY -- Lenox Group's decision to file for bankruptcy won't affect its distribution center in Halfway, a company official said Tuesday. Lenox, which makes dinnerware, gifts and collectibles, said Monday it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, the latest company to succumb to the weak retail environment. It is seeking an $85 million debtor-in-possession financing facility from its revolving lender group to pay employees, make material purchases and pay normal operating expenses.

HAGERSTOWN -- A distribution company just outside of Hagerstown with 40 employees is closing. West Marine Inc., at 19224 Longmeadow Road, will be closed as the company consolidates to a facility in South Carolina, said Rob Ferree, deputy director of the Hagerstown-Washington County Economic Development Commission. The layoffs will come in phases, and the business is expected to be shut down by Dec. 15. Laurie Fried, spokeswoman for West Marine Inc., said the Hagerstown distribution center is the only one of the company's three centers being closed.

WILLIAMSPORT - Dot Foods Inc. will not expand its Williamsport distribution center for now because the company bought a New York distribution center this summer, a company official said Friday. The Liverpool, N.Y., distribution center will take care of the company's short-term needs, said James Canella, general manager of the Williamsport distribution center. Dot Foods took over the Liverpool distribution center after buying out its largest competitor, The Drescher Corporation, in June, he said.

The TruServ distribution center on Hunters Green Parkway that once had 295 workers is down to seven employees and may remain open until early autumn, a corporate spokeswoman said Monday. The distribution center had been expected to close by the end of March. No inventory is left, spokeswoman Shelley Hughes said. The remaining workers are tearing down racks and sending materials to other distribution centers. The distribution center had 295 workers in early 2002. TruServ officials said in December 2001 that the center would close because they were seeking ways to reduce duplication in the face of increased competition.