Skechers USA, Inc. broke ground on its new 1.82 million square-foot distribution center in Rancho Belago, CA.
Skechers said the distribution center will be the largest LEED-certified building in the U.S. In addition, Skechers will be transitioning from 1.6 million square feet of distribution space across five buildings in Ontario, California, to the more efficient, automated, single facility. This will further reduce the company’s energy consumption and environmental impact. The facility is expected to be completed in 2011.
At the ceremony held on March 12, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger began his remarks at the groundbreaking by noting the unemployment rate in the region, and added:
“SKECHERS will be the first phase of development here and that’s something to be celebrated. Plus, the fact that this will be the most environmentally sound, progressive, sophisticated building in the United States proves that what’s good for the economy can be good for the environment too.”
Commenting on his first visit to Skechers headquarters in Manhattan Beach in 1999 just after Skecherswent public on the New York Stock Exchange, the Governor continued: “The Company was skyrocketing, and then they started expanding all over and they were in Europe and in Africa and in Asia; now they do business all over the world. I was a big fan of your shoes then. Im a big fan of the Skechers shoes now.”
“This new facility will provide Skechers with the logistics and distribution support required to match our growth,” stated Michael Greenberg, president of Skechers. “By using the latest efficient technologies, were able to streamline our expenses while reducing our environmental impact at the same time. For Skechers, that’s a win-win.”
“Were excited to be bringing a major global company like Skechers to Moreno Valley,” said Iddo Benzeevi, president of Highland Fairview. “This project will provide jobs and revenue in our city at a time when it needs it most. We hope with Skechers as the anchor, more large employers will discover the opportunity that exists here.”
