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REI Goodyear DC, a distribution center for Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI) has been named NAIOP Project of the Year: Industrial. The project is located at PV|303, a master planned business park in Goodyear, Arizona, and was developed by Merit Partners Inc. and Sunbelt Holdings.
The facility is the only net zero energy, U.S. Green Building LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum certified distribution center in the world. Its roof features a 2.2 megawatt solar system that produces enough energy to power the entire facility, or the equivalent of 390 homes for one year.
The distribution center's architecture, both inside and out, reflects the organic qualities of an outdoor environment, setting a culture and mindset that increases productivity and commitment to operational success. REI designed the facility to conserve water and protect the delicate environment of the surrounding Arizona desert. REI chose a non-evaporative cooling system, which keeps temperatures consistent from floor to ceiling while saving millions of gallons of water annually.
REI's integration of advanced technology and sustainability resulted in the industry's first omnichannel one-touch fulfillment system. This system combines retail and customer orders at each workstation, enabling one person to process items eight times faster than they would at a typical distribution center. The system is fully powered by renewable energy and will support more than 40 percent of REI's sales—reaching approximately 36 percent of customers and 41 percent of the total retail volume.
The facility employs over 120 team members and is celebrated by both the City of Goodyear and the State of Arizona as a best in class example of sustainable development.
"NAIOP is honored to recognize Merit Partners and Sunbelt Holdings for their innovation and collaboration with REI that resulted in this exceptional LEED Platinum distribution center at PV|303," said Thomas Bisacquino, NAIOP president and CEO. "NAIOP members are on the cutting-edge, creating the most innovative and effective industrial spaces, and it's our privilege to recognize this project's developers for their commitment to advancing industrial real estate."
The Industrial Project of the Year award will be presented on Friday, June 9, at NAIOP's I.CON: The Industrial Conference in Long Beach, California.
