Gray Celebrates Groundbreaking for New Publix Distribution Center in North Carolina

Gray, a fully integrated services provider specializing in engineering, design and construction, is proud to break ground with Publix Super Markets, Inc. on the company’s new refrigerated distribution center in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Publix collaborated with Gray to execute construction on the project totaling more than 1 million s.f. Upon completion, the new campus will include a refrigerated warehouse, a return center, fleet maintenance building, dispatch, and security post.

“Having worked in the distribution space for decades, Gray is honored to now partner with Publix on this momentous project,” said Brian Jones, chief operating officer at Gray. “We see every project as a chance to build meaningful relationships, and we’re excited to have already launched this partnership with a strong foundation.”

“We look forward to seeing it flourish as this project comes to life,” he added.

The project involves moving 2.2 million cubic yards of dirt and over 100,000 cubic yards of rock. A concrete duct bank for on-site utilities is being constructed that exceeds 25,000 l.f. as well as storm, sanitary, fire, and domestic piping over 83,000 l.f. More than 2,500 tons of steel will be used in the build. At peak construction, more than 250 workers are expected to be on site.

The new distribution center will support the delivery of grocery products to Publix locations in the Carolinas and Virginia and is expected to generate up to 1,000 jobs.

The groundbreaking ceremony included an official “turning of the dirt” on site with speakers including Governor Roy Cooper of North Carolina; Todd Jones, CEO of Publix; Jeff Phillips, Guilford County Board Chair; Nancy Vaughan, Mayor of Greensboro; and Brian Jones, COO of Gray. Guests consisted of local government officials, partners, associates, and friends.

About Gray

Gray is a fully integrated service provider deeply rooted in engineering, architecture, and construction services. As a family-owned company, we focus on the manufacturing, food & beverage, automotive, distribution, mission critical, and commercial markets for domestic and international customers.

Currently, Gray has several large projects that are under way or recently completed including: a LEED-Gold-certified distribution facility for IKEA in Joliet, IL.; a new greenfield warehouse facility for Sanritsu Logistics America in Reidsville, NC; fulfillment centers for Amazon.com, Inc. in Logan Township, NJ and Bessemer, AL; a warehouse for Buffalo Trace Distillery featuring state-of-the-art automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS) technology in Frankfort, KY; and a warehouse expansion to Lydall, Inc.’s North American Thermal/Acoustical headquarters and manufacturing facility located in Hamptonville, NC.

For more information on Gray, visit gray.com and follow us @grayconstructio.

About Publix

Publix, the largest employee-owned company in the U.S. with more than 200,000 associates, currently operates 1,243 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia. Publix is privately owned with 2018 sales of $36.1 billion. For 23 consecutive years, the company has been recognized by Fortune as a great place to work. In addition, Publix’s dedication to superior quality and customer service is recognized among the top in the grocery business.

For more information, visit the company’s website, corporate.publix.com.