Walmart Debuts New e-Commerce Fulfillment Center

Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s latest online-order fulfillment center, in Bethlehem, Pa., is one of two the mega-retailer has established in the Lehigh Valley to meet the needs of its burgeoning e-commerce business.

"This Bethlehem facility is part of a dense, multifaceted network that combines new buildings, existing fulfillment assets and our portfolio of stores to create thousands of points of distribution," explained Neil Ashe, CEO, Walmart Global eCommerce. "All of these elements working together enhance our ability to get more products to customers faster, at a lower cost, and provide more choices for shoppers."

According to the company, the network consists of its distribution centers, existing e-commerce facilities, 4,500 Walmart stores and a transportation fleet.

Walmart's Community Boost

Featuring cutting-edge automation and warehousing systems, the 1.2 million-square-foot facility in the Majestic Bethlehem Center has brought nearly 400 full-time jobs to the region, with about 200 more positions created at the other Pennsylvania Walmart fulfillment center, at the Lehigh Valley Industrial Park VII. Together, the two centers are expected to generate almost 1,000 new jobs over the next few years.

The grand-opening celebration for the Bethlehem center included donations to local organizations, including $31,000 to Second Harvest Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley as part of Walmart's "Fight Hunger. Spark Change." campaign, which this summer aims to distribute more than $400,000 to food banks across Pennsylvania. Walmart stores in the state donated about 12.9 million pounds of food in fiscal year 2014.

Bentonville, Ark.-based Walmart operates 11,462 stores under 65 banners in 28 countries, and e-commerce websites in 11 countries.