May 20--Ikea hasn't built its first distribution center in Joliet, but it already wants a second one.
The Swedish home furnishings retailer said Wednesday that it has submitted plans to build a distribution center of more than 1 million square feet on 62 acres it seeks to buy just west of a 72-acre site it acquired in 2007 at Laraway Crossings Business Park. On that first parcel, it will build a 1.4 million-square-foot distribution center that is scheduled to open in the summer of 2017.
If approved by the city and if the land purchase is completed, more than 10,000 of Ikea's goods would move through the Midwestern distribution hub. The company also said it would determine whether the facility could also handle some on-site power generating capabilities. Last year, Ikea announced its purchase of a 49-turbine wind farm in Hoopeston, Ill., that is expected to begin operating this spring.
"On the heels of securing all approvals for our first terminal in Joliet and moving forward with plans to construct that building, we are fortunate to have the opportunity to propose another building, on the adjacent property," said Rob Olson, Ikea's U.S. chief financial officer, in a statement. "We are pleased to consolidate our long-term Midwestern distribution operations at what will be our Midwestern hub in Joliet."
Ikea operates two distribution centers on the West Coast and three on the East Coast.
mepodmolik@tribpub.com
