Ascena Retail Group Celebrates Distribution Center Expansion

On December 18, 2012, Ascena Retail Group celebrated a groundbreaking ceremony for a 760,000-square-foot expansion to their distribution center in Central Ohio. Upon completion, the new facility will distribute apparel and accessories for all of its brands including Justice & Brothers, Lane Bryant, Maurices, Dressbarn and Catherines. The distribution center will employ 500 associates over the next five years -an additional 200 jobs to the area.

“Breaking ground on this expansion is a milestone for our business,” Ascena’s President and CEO David Jaffe commented. “Not only is central Ohio considered a hub for distribution, but the centrality of this location will allow us to deliver 70 percent of our 3,800 stores within two days.”

Joining Mr. Jaffe at the groundbreaking was State Senator Tim Schaffer, and Licking County Commissioner Tim Budd.

Distribution center construction is being managed by Gray and will be completed in early 2014. Gray, a nationally ranked engineering, architecture and construction company, currently has several large projects that are underway or recently completed including: a Michelin Earthmover tire manufacturing plant in Starr, S.C.; a Caterpillar Inc. manufacturing facility in Winston-Salem, North Carolina; a Caterpillar Inc. manufacturing facility near Athens, Ga.; CJ Bio America manufacturing plant in Fort Dodge, Iowa; a Siemens gas turbine plant in Charlotte, North Carolina; a Whirlpool plant in Cleveland, Tenn.; and multiple projects for Austal USA in Mobile, Alabama.