In a significant development for the east Valley, Amazon has unveiled its newest 1.2 million-square-foot distribution center in Mesa, Arizona. This facility, the largest of its kind in the nation, is set to create over 800 jobs, providing a boost to the local economy. With its grand opening scheduled for Friday, the center aims to enhance the convenience of remote shopping for customers across metro Phoenix.
Situated along Elliot and Hawes roads, the “storage and distribution center” marks the first of its kind in the state. Rodney Huffman, the center’s general manager, who has been with Amazon for over a decade, acknowledges the company’s expanding presence in the metro Phoenix area, particularly on the west side of Maricopa County. With this new venture, Amazon seeks to establish a strong presence in the east Valley, considering the promising investment opportunities surrounding the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport.
Given the scale of operations and storage requirements, Huffman explains that large centers like this are built from scratch in undeveloped areas. While the center has already commenced operations, it is expected to be fully operational by August once the hiring process is complete.
Regarding employment opportunities, Huffman is currently overseeing a hiring blitz to fill the 800 to 900 available positions. The facility has the potential to employ up to 1,300 workers once it reaches maximum capacity. Salaries will range from $15 to $21 per hour, depending on experience and shift. Employees residing in Mesa, Queen Creek, or Florence, who previously worked in the west Valley, are considering transferring to the east Valley center, as it would significantly reduce their commute time, improving their overall quality of life.
The establishment of this new facility aligns with the city’s efforts to expand employment options in southeast Mesa, retaining jobs within the city and reducing commute times for residents.
Inside Amazon’s new building, a recent report reveals that over 60% of sales are generated through independent sellers, many of whom are small to medium-sized businesses. The Elliot Road facility will offer these independent sellers lower storage rates compared to self-storage options. Products will be replenished from the fulfillment center as stock levels decrease, ensuring uninterrupted shopping experiences for customers. This innovative concept was introduced during the supply chain challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In Arizona alone, over 10,000 independent sellers utilize Amazon’s platform, selling more than 44 million products last year.
Amazon’s presence in metro Phoenix is substantial, with over 33,000 full and part-time employees across the state. The company currently operates 17 “fulfillment and sortation centers” and 13 “delivery stations” in Arizona.
With the addition of Mesa’s new distribution center, customers throughout the Valley can expect a reduced likelihood of products going out of stock when purchasing items sold by third-party businesses.
The opening of Amazon’s largest distribution center in the nation not only brings economic opportunities and job growth to the east Valley but also strengthens the company’s commitment to enhancing the convenience and efficiency of online shopping for customers in metro Phoenix.
