Leading lifestyle retailer American Eagle Outfitters Inc is making news and big investments in both themselves and the Midwest. They broke ground on a 540,000 square foot addition to their current distribution center in Ottawa, Kan. Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius and Ottawa Mayor Richard Jackson took part in the ceremony that signals the start of American Eagle's plans to more than double their current facility.
American Eagle Outfitters currently operates 798 AE stores in 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and 71 AE stores in Canada. AE also operates ae.com, which ships around the world.
In fact, location played a major role in American Eagle's decision to settle in Ottawa in 2000. Located about 55 miles southwest of downtown Kansas City, Ottawa is strategically situated off I-35, a key traffic flow for shipping from Mexico to Canada.
American Eagle has called in two nationally recognized leaders in construction and materials handling to partner in the facility expansion. Both Vargo Engineered Material Handling Solutions in Columbus, Ohio, and H&M Company Inc in Jackson, Tennessee, a Design/Build company, have worked with American Eagle on past projects.
Building design and prep will begin immediately, with the first phase of construction scheduled to start in September of this year. The physical building is expected to be completed and operational by April 2007. AmericanEagle plans to add nearly 300 new jobs as a result of the expansion.
American Eagle Outfitters Inc
marketing@alchempro.com
