Pepsi Newest Tenant in the Pee Dee Commerce City

From the Morning News

Pepsi Cola of Florence announces the plans for their new 155,000 square foot distribution center in the Pee Dee Commerce City.  Pepsi has a long history in Florence beginning in 1936 as the Pepsi Cola Bottling Company of Florence servicing nine counties with only two trucks. Over time the company grew and began operations at the David H. McLeod Blvd. site since 1974.

“It is with great pleasure that I welcome Pepsi's new distribution center to Florence”, said Senator Hugh K. Leatherman.  “Pepsi has had a very prestigious and welcoming influence on our community for many years and this announcement reinforces the fact that Florence County is a great place to grow your business.  We are blessed with the most valuable asset, our people, who believe in giving an honest days labor for a days pay.  I am proud of the entire economic development team for this announcement and point once again to the fact that in Florence County, we are open for business."

“Pepsi Bottling Company of Florence has been a long-time member of Florence County Progress, Inc.”, says Dr. Charles Gould, Chairman of FCEDP and President of Florence-Darlington Technical College. “We are pleased that an existing industry has announced their plans to expand in Florence County. The FCEDP staff and Board continuously work with existing industry leaders in the hope to assist in further expansions in our area.”

Pepsi joins IFH, Johnson Controls, Crenlo, and FedEx in the Pee Dee Touchstone Energy Commerce City.  Commerce City is a Class-A commercial/industrial park.  Not only does it serve as the forefront for the area’s economic development advances and solutions for an improved way of life for the region’s residents, but provides better paying jobs and a clean work environment with these companies representing the Pee Dee Region. With infrastructure installed (electricity, roads, water, sewer, fiber-optic telecommunications and natural gas) and all pre-permitting completed, Commerce City is a “shovel ready” property that is “certified” by the South Carolina Department of Commerce.

“Pepsi has been a part of the fabric of our community since 1936. I am pleased that another existing business is reinvesting and expanding in our county,” proudly stated Florence County Council Chairman K.G. “Rusty” Smith. “The $12 million investment shows Pepsi’s continued commitment to Florence County and their dedication to help Florence continue to grow and prosper economically.”

Scheduled for completion in May 2008, the 200 plus employees currently working at the Pepsi Cola Company of Florence will transfer to the new facility at that time.

“Since moving to our present location on David H. McLeod Boulevard in 1974, our business and the number of products available has grown significantly along with Pee Dee Food Service Vending Company which was added during that period,” stated Frank Avent, President and CEO of Pepsi Cola of Florence.

 
“This new distribution center will allow us to continue to grow and will enable us to have all of our Florence employees working out of the same facility.”

 
Mr. Avent continued by stating that Pee Dee Commerce City is a perfect location with its easy access and departures for delivery trucks and other company vehicles as well as the utilities available at the site.

“The company as a whole as well as myself are excited about relocating and beginning a new chapter as Pepsi Cola of Florence moves forward in growth and commitment to our community and the Pee Dee Region.”