Tractor Supply’s new DC serves as testing ground for robotics

As of March 30, the company operated 2,233 Tractor Supply stores in 49 states

Tractor Supply Company has gone big in Arkansas, opening its most high-tech distribution center yet.

The nation’s largest rural lifestyle retailer has opened its tenth and largest distribution center yet, in Maumelle, Ark. The 1.1 million-sq.-ft. facility represents an investment of more than $175 million in the region and will create 500 full-time jobs for local residents.

The facility is Tractor Supply’s first to utilize autonomous mobile robots at scale for small-item fulfillment. It will serve as a testing facility for other robotics designed to help reduce costs and increase productivity.

The Maumelle distribution center is registered with the certification goal of LEED Gold. The building’s roof features a solar array system consisting of more than 10,000 solar panels that will produce five million kilowatts of electricity per year, enough to support operations during daylight hours. The solar panels will reduce the building’s carbon footprint by approximately 4,100 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year.

The center, which began receiving product in April and will begin shipping to stores and customers in June, will serve approximately 250 stores in the Southeast, Midwest and Texas, while also fulfilling digital orders in the region. Tractor Supply currently has 39 stores throughout Arkansas. It also owns and operates eight Petsense by Tractor Supply locations in Arkansas.

“Our distribution centers play a critical role in our commitment to being a dependable supplier for our customers as they live Life Out Here,” said Tractor Supply president and CEO Hal Lawton. “Each one of our more than 2,200 stores has to have what our customers need, when they need it. As more people embrace this lifestyle and we continue to open new stores across the U.S., our new distribution center in Maumelle will help ensure that we are there for our customers when they need us, providing the legendary service they have come to know and love.”

As of March 30, the company operated 2,233 Tractor Supply stores in 49 states and 202 Petsense by Tractor Supply stores in 23 states.