STANDARD BEVERAGE CELEBRATES GROUNDBREAKING WITH ARCO BEVERAGE GROUP
ARCO Beverage Group recently broke ground on Standard Beverage’s distribution facility expansion in Lawrence, Kansas. The 117,880 SF distribution facility expansion includes office space, an enclosed dock, and an automated warehouse featuring two 3-level pick modules and a 2-level bottle room.
The Lawrence Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, Bonnie Lowe, kicked off the celebratory groundbreaking event with a few words of gratitude for Standard Beverage and their commitment to the community. Over the last three years, Standard Beverage has made significant investments in its business and in Kansas. In 2017, the Kansas legislature approved the sale of strong beer (up to 6% ABV) in grocery, convenience, club-store and other similar channels. Standard Beverage’s customer base has expanded significantly and to meet that demand, the beverage wholesaler has invested resources throughout Kansas including a major expansion to the Lawrence facility.
The expansion will have a positive impact on employment growth in the Lawrence area by creating approximately 16 new full-time jobs in the warehouse including forklift drivers, dock door loaders, receiving and inventory control associates and other positions. Approximately 80 of Standard Beverage’s 140+ Lawrence-area employees work exclusively in warehouse operations.
ARCO is proudly partnering with GMA Architects, our in-house architecture firm, to ensure the project is designed and built with the best possible functionality, design and cost effectiveness. The collaborative partnership between ARCO and GMA allows for facility designs to be reviewed and assessed by all members of the team at a very early stage. The design/build team also includes DMW&H, a provider of material handling and automation solutions.
Groundbreaking ceremonies are a great example of ARCO’s core purpose, which is to make the construction process enjoyable and beneficial for our associates and customers. We are thrilled to celebrate this milestone with Standard Beverage and look forward to the successful completion of the project later this year.
Keep reading to hear more from Bonnie Lowe and the other speakers and watch a livestream playback of the groundbreaking ceremony on Lawrence Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page here.
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HEAR FROM THE SPEAKERS
Lawrence Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, Bonnie Lowe: “We’ve been very fortunate to have great friends at Standard Beverage, and we look forward to working with you and perhaps consuming a product or two in the future.”
Lawrence Mayor, Brad Finkeldei: “[Standard Beverage] is a very important company to our community in lots of ways, and so we appreciate everything you’ve done for the community in the past but look forward to all you do in the future for us.”
Lawrence Chamber of Commerce Vice President of Economic Development, Steve Kelly: “Not only is this a great investment in the community and as additional jobs in the community, but I think we’re at a point where after all we’ve been through in the last year, we just need some good news, and this is really good news.”
Standard Beverage COO, Ryan Thurlow: “Certainly from a business standpoint, it’s been healthy for us but also philanthropically. We value our relationships in the community here in Lawrence [and] around the state, and we try to really pursue good opportunities and good things that lend themselves to both good business decisions but also good personal decisions and support of our communities that we operate within.”
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Project Details:
- 117,880 SF Beverage Distribution Facility Expansion
- 97,780 SF Warehouse with Automation
- 14,100 SF Back-In Loading
- 6,000 SF Office
- Steel Structure with Tilt-Up Concrete Wall Panels
- 38′ Clear Height
- Two 3-Level Pick Modules
- 2-Level Bottle Room
About Standard Beverage:
Standard Beverage Corporation is your leading distributor of fine wines, spirits and beer, and is the only large distributor that is Kansas owned. With offices in Lawrence, Lenexa and Wichita, Standard Beverage employs approximately 400+ dedicated people and provides the most diverse portfolio of the industry’s best and most well-known brands.
About ARCO Beverage Group:
ARCO Beverage Group is the nation’s largest builder of beverage distributorships, having constructed or made modifications to 170 beverage distribution facilities nationwide. As the beer industry experts, ARCO understands the space utilization, product storage, rotation, temperature control requirements and many other factors that beverage facilities may require. From expertly designed draught coolers and refrigerated warehouses to attractive and efficient office spaces, ARCO’s design/build process provides clients with the highest quality construction and the best value.
