Blazer Wilkinson builds new distribution center in Maryland
Blazer Wilkinson builds new distribution center in Maryland
Salinas, CA-based strawberry grower-shipper Blazer Wilkinson LP recently completed construction of a new 25,000-square-foot distribution center in Easton, MD, that will provide overnight shipping to customers up and down the Eastern Seaboard and as far west as Indiana.
Blazer Wilkinson's sister company -- Blazer Wilkinson Salins LLC -- is the Maryland-based distribution arm of the business for the East Coast, and it is overseen by Lee Salins, general manager and partner. Mr. Salins buys product from Blazer Wilkinson as well as other suppliers. Blazer Wilkinson handles its own western sales and distribution.
Blazer Wilkinson ships strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries to the Maryland distribution center from growing areas around the United States and from South America, said co-owner John Wilkinson.
Prior to construction of the new Maryland facility, Blazer Wilkinson Salins had been renting a 12,000-square-foot building for the past four years. The new building, which was slated to begin operations the week of Nov. 27, has state-of-the-art refrigeration throughout the entire building, five loading docks and 24-hour shipping and receiving, Mr. Wilkinson said.
The new facility is located on 3.5 acres of land in Talbot Commerce Park with ready access to Highway 50.
"We can deliver overnight to Maine in the north, Georgia in the south and as far west as Indiana," Mr. Wilkinson said. For customers, the company's transition will be seamless in the redistribution over the East Coast of fresh, seasonal berries, he said.
The company bought the land and has the ability to expand its new facility, Mr. Wilkinson said, and soon Blazer Wilkinson Salins will be looking to add to its sales staff, he noted.
Blazer Wilkinson's sister company -- Blazer Wilkinson Salins LLC -- is the Maryland-based distribution arm of the business for the East Coast, and it is overseen by Lee Salins, general manager and partner. Mr. Salins buys product from Blazer Wilkinson as well as other suppliers. Blazer Wilkinson handles its own western sales and distribution.
Blazer Wilkinson ships strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries to the Maryland distribution center from growing areas around the United States and from South America, said co-owner John Wilkinson.
Prior to construction of the new Maryland facility, Blazer Wilkinson Salins had been renting a 12,000-square-foot building for the past four years. The new building, which was slated to begin operations the week of Nov. 27, has state-of-the-art refrigeration throughout the entire building, five loading docks and 24-hour shipping and receiving, Mr. Wilkinson said.
The new facility is located on 3.5 acres of land in Talbot Commerce Park with ready access to Highway 50.
"We can deliver overnight to Maine in the north, Georgia in the south and as far west as Indiana," Mr. Wilkinson said. For customers, the company's transition will be seamless in the redistribution over the East Coast of fresh, seasonal berries, he said.
The company bought the land and has the ability to expand its new facility, Mr. Wilkinson said, and soon Blazer Wilkinson Salins will be looking to add to its sales staff, he noted.
