Lowe’s to open distribution facility in Suffolk

North Carolina-based home improvement retailer Lowe’s Cos Inc. will establish a coastal holding facility in the city of Suffolk, adding 100 jobs, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Thursday.

Lowe’s had more than $96 billion in sales in fiscal 2021 and it operates or services nearly 2,200 home improvement and hardware stores, employing more than 300,000 associates. The company employs more than 11,000 workers in Virginia, primarily through retail establishments. In February, Lowe’s announced plans for a warehouse and distribution center in Roanoke County, creating an expected 70 jobs.

The Suffolk plant will be at the Virginia Port Logistics Park and will receive imported goods through the Port of Virginia to supply regional distribution facilities.

“Welcoming a major distribution facility for a Fortune 50 company of Lowe’s caliber is a testament to Virginia’s world-class port, transportation infrastructure and supply chain ecosystem advancing the logistics industry,” Youngkin said in a statement. “We are confident Lowe’s will find this strategic location and the exceptional workforce in Hampton Roads beneficial to achieving its goals and look forward to a long-term partnership.”

The Suffolk expansion will complement the retailer’s 69 stores across Virginia by helping the company manage flow of imported products, Don Frieson, executive vice president of supply chain at Lowe’s, said in a statement.

“We selected Virginia and the city of Suffolk because of its proximity to the Port of Virginia, as well as the uniquely skilled workforce in the local area,” Frieson said. “This coastal holding facility is part of an ongoing investment in Lowe’s supply chain to better serve our stores and customers.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the city of Suffolk and the Port of Virginia to secure the project for the commonwealth and will support job creation through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program, at no cost to Lowe’s. The company is also eligible to receive benefits from the Port of Virginia Economic and Infrastructure Development Zone Grant Program.