Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/76623
Ste. Michelle & Railex LLC Innovate Wine Distribution in Washington State S te. Michelle Wine Estates and Railex LLC, a pioneer in transcontinental perishable distribution, are teaming up to create the fi rst temperature-controlled rail-based system to transport wine effi ciently and sustainably across the U.S. The project's cornerstone is a new Wine Services Distribution Center which will be built adjacent to Railex's existing transload center in Wallula, Washington. Railex will invest $18–$20 million to build and operate the 500,000-square-foot bonded wine storage and distribution center. It is scheduled to open February 2013. Ste. Michelle has signed a long-term lease for the major- ity of the warehouse footprint and also will contract with Railex to transport its domestic and import wines through- out the U.S. The Railex Wine Services Distribution Center will offer refrigerated, humidity-controlled storage plus numerous effi ciencies to manage inventory and transporta- tion logistics to better respond to customer requests. "Railex is uniquely positioned to provide the highest level of customer service to SMWE, their employees and customer base," says Jim Kleist, SVP of West Coast Operations for Railex. "Railex has a proven business model for storing and shipping Pacifi c Northwest produce to East Coast markets by rail. Ste Michelle is the premier Pacifi c Northwest win- ery, and its wine storage and distribution services make for a great partnership with Railex," said Paul Schneidmiller, President of the Port of Walla Walla.