Batory Foods Breaks Ground On Wilmington Facility, Plan Incorporates Cutting-Edge Technology
15 Jun 2016 --- On May 16, 2016, Batory Foods broke ground on the construction of a 678,000-square-foot facility in Wilmington, IL. At a groundbreaking ceremony and reception at the construction site, the food ingredients distribution company introduced the community to Batory’s work and its plans for the site.
Alston Construction, headquartered in Lisle, IL, and Chicago-based Ridge Development are managing construction and development.
“This Wilmington handling and distribution center will be the flagship in the Batory organization,” said Ron Friedman, President, Batory, during the opening ceremony. “It will set the standard for efficiency and food safety throughout the food industry.”
Wilmington’s Mayor J. Marty Orr offered an inspiring message about the contributions Batory will make to the city. Fred Dingraudo, VP of Operations, Batory, thanked Wilmington officials for their support, including those in attendance: City Administrator Tony Graff, Police Chief Phillip Arnold and Fire Chief Tim Zlomie.
Jessica Stoja, Batory’s Operations Project Manager, shared the company’s vision for the future: The facility will incorporate cutting-edge technology and embrace environmentally responsible design elements, like remote-sensor LED lighting and electric car charging stations. With technologies in place to stay ahead of the regulatory curve, the site will seek to earn C-TPAT Certification and OSHA VPP status for Employee Safety.
“Batory is financially strong, an industry leader, and is committed to social responsibility,” said Stoja. “We are determined to become an integral part of this community, and we will continue to expand opportunity within the City of Wilmington and throughout Will County.”
The distribution center will perform two distinct operating functions: The building’s north end will be a full service distribution center. A portion of distribution from Batory’s Oakley, IL, facility will move to Wilmington. As the remaining distribution services will stay in place at Oakley, this represents an expansion of Batory’s capabilities.
In the building’s south end, Batory will provide third party logistics (3PL) services to Fonterra, a leading multinational dairy company with roots in New Zealand, beginning November 2016. Staffed entirely by Batory Foods employees, Batory will receive material directly from New Zealand, managing the inbound and outbound services related to that inventory.
To launch what will be sustained community involvement in Wilmington, Batory is sponsoring a charity basketball event this October. The fundraiser will support the addition of a canine member to the Wilmington police force. Batory is also a proud sponsor of the Wilmington Bobcats, a nonprofit youth tackle football and cheerleading organization. The sponsorship helps fund uniforms, equipment and facility maintenance and upgrades.
