National auto parts retailer O’Reilly Auto Parts will be bringing at least 300 employees over the next few years to a recently purchased distribution facility in Devens.
The Missouri-based retailer plans to relocate its Northeast Distribution Center from Lewiston, Maine, to a 370,500-square-foot warehouse facility in late summer or early fall 2014, according to the company said.
O’Reilly subsidiary Ozark Automotive Distributors Inc. paid $20.7 million for the building at 15 Independence Dr. to Hackman Capital Partners, Oak Tree Capital and Calare Properties, according to deed records. The deal was closed Sept. 3.
The Devens Enterprise Commission (DEC) unanimously approved the site plan 8-0 Thursday, said executive director Peter Lowitt.
The Devens facility will open with 80 to 90 workers over two shifts and will service the company’s 56 existing New England stores, David Mackwell of Kelly Engineering said during a DEC public hearing. O’Reilly’s 60 Lewiston employees will have first dibs on the Devens jobs, said O’Reilly spokesman Mark Merz said.
The new distribution center will pave the way for O’Reilly to expand its New England presence.
Within five years, Mackwell said the distribution center should have 300 to 500 employees working three shifts and be serving up to 280 stores in New England.
Devens was selected due to its more central location in the region and its proximity to several modes of transportation, Mackwell said. O’Reilly isn’t currently planning to transport materials via rail, Mackwell said, but noted that it’s a possibility in the future.
Lowitt said Sunny Delight Beverages were the last occupants of the 15 Independence Dr., which has sat empty since at least 2008.
“It’s great to have it filled up,” he said.
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