The Home Depot opens new direct fulfillment center

Atlanta - The Home Depot will open a new direct fulfillment center in Locust Grove, Ga., a suburb of Atlanta, representing the first of three fulfillment centers across the U.S. the company will open over the next two years.

The facilities will add more than three million square feet and approximately 1,000 jobs to its supply chain. The new distribution centers will increase the number of orders the company can ship the day they are received, increasing the speed of delivery for HomeDepot.com orders.

The company said it will gain faster order picking and shipping through new warehouse management and material handling systems.

"This is a significant investment in our ability to say yes to customers with confidence," said Mark Holifield, svp, supply chain. "Yes, you have access to our entire inventory to fulfill your order. Yes, you can expect a speedy delivery. And yes, you can rely on information updates about your delivery."

The direct fulfillment centers will stock approximately 100,000 products, extending The Home Depot aisle beyond the 35,000 products typically available at the average physical store.

The Locust Grove facility will initially employ approximately 125 associates, and will eventually employ approximately 300 associates. Future direct fulfillment centers are scheduled to open in Perris, Calif. and Troy, Ohio.