Sports apparel maker Under Armour has opened its new distribution center in Mt. Juliet, a $100 million building that’s only the company’s third such facility nationwide.
Gov. Bill Haslam and Under Armour chief executive Kevin Plank took part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday to mark the opening of the facility off Beckworth Road. At 1 million square feet, the building spans more than 20 football fields and will send stretchy shirts, sneakers and other gear to major retailers across the country.
By locating in Middle Tennessee, the distribution center will shave two-and-a-half days off delivery times to Under Armour’s biggest clients — companies like Dick’s Sporting Goods and the Sports Authority, says executive vice president Jim Hardy.
“One of the biggest things is having Interstate 40 run right down next to our business. We’re close to the ports, so when we start bringing things in, we can get it here quickly, and we can turn and get it to our customers.”
Under Armour is receiving
$6.75 million in state incentives for the facility.
The company shipped its first packages from the building on Saturday and already employs about 300 people.
Under Armour completed the facility in just 11 months and has left room for expansion. The company hopes to have 1,500 people working at the facility within five years.
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