North Carolina Construction News staff writer
Grocery retailer Ahold Delhaize USA and its subsidiaries ADUSA Distribution and ADUSA Transportation held a groundbreaking Monday for a new distribution center in Burlington, N.C.
Construction is underway, with operations expected to begin in 2029. The Tippmann Group, which specializes in temperature-controlled food and cold storage facilities, is leading construction, while WITRON will provide automated technology and integrated logistics solutions.
Part of a $860-million investment in its Growing Together strategy, the site will add more than one million square feet of fresh and frozen distribution capacity to support Food Lion and other grocery brands, while creating more than 500 jobs over time.
“This groundbreaking marks another exciting step forward in strengthening our supply chain network and ensuring we can serve our customers with the freshest products every day,” said JJ Fleeman, CEO of Ahold Delhaize USA. “We’re proud to invest in North Carolina, one of our home states for nearly 70 years and to continue building on our commitment to serving local customers and communities by providing access to nutritious and affordable options.”
The Burlington facility will feature modern automation and sustainability measures to boost efficiency and minimize environmental impact.
“Today’s groundbreaking underscores North Carolina’s continued leadership in attracting transformative investments that create hundreds of good-paying jobs, strengthen supply chains, and support long-term economic growth,” Governor Josh Stein said at the groundbreaking ceremony. “Projects like this reinforce our state’s reputation for our excellent workforce and as a premier destination for innovation, logistics, and opportunity.”