Bass Pro Shops announced it will be closing a distribution center in Sidney, NE, the former hometown of Cabela’s, as well as a merchandise return center in Oshkosh, NE. A total of 162 jobs will be affected. The Sidney center move will affect 121 jobs and the closing of the Oshkosh center will affect 41.
“This action is being taken as a result of an extensive review of all Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s operations, including independent analysis by global logistics experts and shipping companies,” Bass Pro said in the statement.
Bass Pro said the analysis showed that the Sidney facility managed less volume than all of its other distribution centers and restructuring its distribution network is expected to support faster shipping to better compete with larger online players.
The Sidney warehouse has been in operation for 77 years. The Oshkosh facility is about 40 miles northeast of Sidney. Bass Pro said it remains committed to maintaining a presence in Sidney.
“The company greatly respects Cabela’s long-term ties to Sidney. Over the last year, every effort has been made to maintain significant operations in the city and across Nebraska while maintaining an obligation to customers and employees,” the statement said.
SGB attained the full statement below.
Customer-focused Reorganization calls for Cabela’s Sidney Distribution Center To Close
To better serve customers with faster and more efficient shipping options, Cabela’s will be restructuring its distribution and return center network. The effort supports the company’s new “fast-and-free” two-day shipping initiative, created to compete with major national e-commerce platforms offering two-day shipping. As part of “fast-and-free,” roughly 97 percent of all eligible online orders at BassPro.com and Cabela’s.com will ship the same day a customer places the order, providing faster home delivery than ever before.
This action is being taken as a result of an extensive review of all Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s operations, including independent analysis by global logistics experts and shipping companies. As a result, Cabela’s will be ceasing operations at the distribution center in Sidney, Nebraska and the return center in Oshkosh, by Spring 2019. Cabela’s will continue to serve customers from five existing distribution centers across the country by expanding operations to seven days a week and adding new jobs throughout the remainder of the network.
The analysis determined the 77-year-old Sidney facility handles the least volume of the company’s distribution centers. Originally built by the U.S. Army to store ammunition during World War II, it is the oldest structure in the system and is very inefficient. Additionally, the customer returns process has been streamlined, eliminating the need for a standalone facility. While jobs will be added at other locations, the actions will result in the loss of 121 positions at the Sidney distribution center and an additional 41 positions at the Oshkosh return center. The company is offering a range of benefits and support services to assist impacted employees throughout the transition, including the opportunity to apply for other roles within the organization.
Ongoing commitment to Nebraska
The decision to close any facility and eliminate any position is something Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s senior management takes very seriously. The company greatly respects Cabela’s long-term ties to Sidney. Over the last year, every effort has been made to maintain significant operations in the city and across Nebraska, while maintaining an obligation to customers and employees by continually assessing the business and implementing necessary actions to keep the organization financially healthy and better serve customers in a competitive marketplace.
Image courtesy Bass Pro
