Starbucks to expand Nevada distribution facility

Starbucks plans to grow its operations in Nevada’s Carson Valley substantially over the next year, with the addition of 215,000 square metres to the distribution portion of the Starbucks Carson Valley Roasting Plant and Distribution Center in Minden, Nevada. The expansion will bring nearly 100 new jobs to the location in the first year after completion, bringing the distribution workforce to nearly 350. A ceremonial ground breaking on 7 June kicked off the US$50 million project, which will wrap up in summer 2018. Only the distribution portion of the 104,000-square-metre building will be enlarged, allowing Starbucks to increase capacity and streamline regional sourcing. The roasting side of the operation will be unchanged. “We serve all of California, Nevada and Utah, as well as parts of Arizona and Asia Pacific,” said Todd McCullough, Director of Distribution at the facility. “We do everything here from coffee to syrups to behind-the-bar supplies.” McCullough, who has worked at the Carson Valley Roasting Center and Distribution Center since it opened in 2003, said the expansion will create a range of new jobs for managers, supervisors, coordinators and distribution partners. The Carson Valley facility is also the site of the first Starbucks Inclusion Academy. Launched in 2014, it provides six weeks of training to help individuals with disabilities gain meaningful work experience in manufacturing, warehousing and distribution. Its success has prompted Starbucks to expand the program to the York Distribution Center in York, Pennsylvania, in 2015 and launch the Starbucks Retail Inclusion Academy in Baltimore in April. McCullough said 27 members of the Inclusion Academy’s eight graduating classes have been hired by Starbucks and expansion will create additional job opportunities for graduates.