As part of its expanding distribution network in the Inland Empire, Weber Distribution, a leading West Coast provider of dedicated warehousing and transportation logistics for more than 84 years, has signed a 10-year agreement to lease 564,000 square feet of a new 1.3 million square foot facility in Redlands, California.

At the facility, Weber provides food and retail customers, including Cadbury Schweppes and Nestl' Waters, with storage as well as transportation and distribution services. The 1.3 million square foot AMB Redlands Distribution Center is designed with a state-of-the-art waste conservation, lighting and water system.

According to Bill Butler, Weber's President & Chief Executive Officer, the value proposition for Weber's customers is better in Redlands compared to warehousing options located closer to Los Angeles. 'Our customers are continuing to expand their demand for space throughout Southern California and this location is the most cost effective for their needs. It also compliments Weber's other major hub locations in the Inland Empire, including two warehouses in Fontana, two in Redlands and two in Rancho Cucamonga."

Butler noted that Weber has been positioning itself for 20%+ growth over the next year, which includes opening a new facility in Seattle, Washington late last year. 'We believe that retailers and manufacturers value our transportation and distribution services because as an asset-based provider, we have the ability to quickly react to our customers' needs for space, equipment and West Coast expertise. In fact, we plan on eventually placing close to 200 employees at the Redlands facility,' said Butler. 'Our executive management team is also based locally in Southern California, which enables timely decision making at Weber.'

The Redlands facility uses Weber's Warehouse Management System, known as LINKS, designed to supply Weber's customers with direct visibility and control over their inventory via the Internet. LINKS uses a combination of the latest radio-frequency equipment and barcodes to track the real-time movement of Weber's customers' products into and out of its warehouses. LINKS is seamlessly integrated with Weber's TransLINKS TMS system, which provides web-based visibility to its transportation customers.

'Redlands is well positioned along the 10 freeway, which is the major east west trans-corridor through Los Angeles' greater metropolitan area,' said Butler. 'The 15 freeway, which is a major northwest trans-corridor is also easily accessible from Redlands, which has quickly become a thriving industrial market.'