On Thursday, Jan. 17, Madison Electric Products, Bedford Heights, Ohio, celebrated the grand opening of a 35,000-square-foot distribution center in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. The addition of the California distribution center is a direct result of West Coast sales growth spurred by Madison's Sparks Innovation Center, the industry's first crowdsourced approach to product development. West Coast sales have grown substantially since launching the Center in 2010. The distribution center will carry Madison's full product line and serve customers west of the Mississippi, reducing freight costs, shortening delivery times and increasing fill rates.
The new distribution center compliments Madison's existing facility in Bedford Heights, Ohio and is part of a network that includes 16 independent manufacturers' rep warehouses. Facility features include wire-guided order pickers, more than 1,800 active pick locations and more than 3,100 overstock locations.
“The success we've seen with The Sparks Innovation Center has impacted our sales so much that we needed to establish a presence on the West Coast. Plus, 30% of our sales come from the western United States,” said Brad Wiandt, president of Madison Electric Products. “The new distribution center will create the necessary efficiencies to better serve our valuable West Coast customers.”
During the grand opening, attendees enjoyed tours of the facility, product demonstrations, food and beverages and a meet-and-greet with the Madison team. The company also gave out prizes throughout the event.