New Sikeston Orgill facility shows off operation

SIKESTON, Mo. -- After officially beginning shipping items in early August, Orgill opened the doors of its Mid-America SuperCenter in Sikeston on Saturday to show off its operations to guests and employees' families.

"We want to give you a chance to see the facilities up close," said Denny Koonce, Orgill's vice president of the Midwest Division.

The 795,000 square-foot building is located in Sikeston's Industrial Park and distributes about 65,000 product lines, including kitchen goods, farm and hardware items and pet goods.

On Saturday, company officials had a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Sikeston Area Chamber of Commerce and took guests on tours of the facilities, amongst other festivities. But before everything got under way, there were a few speeches detailing how the facility came to be.

Byrne Whitehead, Orgill's executive vice presidents of operations and chief operating officer, noted the Sikeston facility is the largest of Orgill's distribution centers. He said that teamwork played an integral role in not only building the center, but also in attracting Orgill to Sikeston.

"It's been absolutely amazing, the quality of help and teamwork we've had," said Whitehead.

Ed Dust, Sikeston's director of economic development, did a great job of selling the site, said Whitehead. He also pointed out the state of Missouri worked hard to recruit Orgill, offering great incentives.

When choosing a site for a new distribution center, there are three main factors company officials take into consideration, said Whitehead. Those are: geography quality of life for the employees and the company, and the local workforce.

"And Sikeston turned out to be just exactly what we needed," he said. Now, local businesses and residents are benefitting from the plant.

Although it's been open less than three months, the Sikeston distribution center has already gained stature in the company. "Customers just love this facility," said Whitehead.

Koonce recalled how business "got real busy real quick."

Breaking ground in September 2008 with a goal of being in full operations by August 2009 was the most ambitions start Orgill has ever done -- but those involved pushed forward and were able to start stocking in May and had the center filled with a week to spare, said Koonce.

"In August, we went from zero sales to being the second busiest in our company's distribution network," said Koonce. "That's a huge accomplishment -- and I'm looking forward to more accomplishments in the years to come."

None of that would have been possible without the hard work of all the employees, he said.

"Our managers and supervisors did a great job in running and merging two distribution centers," said Koonce. The Sikeston plant replaces centers in Vandalia, Ill., and Memphis, Tenn.

And all the employees have been "absolutely fantastic," said Koonce. "They are very diligent and safe about the way they go about their work. They're catching on very quickly."

Getting busy so fast meant extra work -- and Koonce extended a thanks to employees' families for supporting them.

The city of Sikeston is thankful to have those jobs.

"I want to thank Orgill for putting enough confidence in us to put this money in our city, community, county and state," said Sikeston's Mayor Jerry Pullen. "I also want to thank Orgill for the 300 jobs they've brought here, and for future jobs that are yet to come."

Pullen echoed Whitehead's comments regarding the teamwork involved. The mayor noted there was cooperation between the city, company, construction company, Board of Municipal Utilities and Missouri Department of Transportation who helped turn the area from an empty field to a fully-functioning company in under a year.

"That just goes to show you what teamwork can do," he said.

Pullen expressed hope this is only the beginning of celebrations the city and Orgill will have. "We look forward to an ongoing partnership in the future," he said.