M S International to open $61.6M Suffolk distribution center

M S International Inc. (MSI), a California-based flooring, countertop, wall tile and hardscaping products supplier, will invest $61.6 million to establish its East Coast distribution facility in Suffolk, a project expected to create 80 jobs, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Thursday.

McDonald Development Co. will construct the 548,000-square-foot facility, which will be located at 2821 Holland Road.

“Virginia is one of North America’s premier supply chain destinations, and we are excited to welcome M S International’s East Coast distribution facility to the commonwealth,” Youngkin said in a statement. “MSI will benefit from Suffolk’s prime location and proximity to our world-class port facilities, and we look forward to their success in the Hampton Roads region.”

Founded in 1975 and based in Orange, California, MSI has more than 3,000 employees worldwide, including more than 60 in Virginia. The company has more than 40 showrooms and distribution centers across the U.S. and Canada, with a manufacturing facility for quartz countertops in South Carolina and one for luxury vinyl tile flooring in Georgia.

MSI imports more than 70,000 containers each year from more than 37 countries on six continents. Its inventory spans 300 million square feet.

“MSI is very excited with this huge expansion of our distribution footprint in Virginia,” MSI President Rup Shah said in a statement. “This new hub distribution center will dramatically improve our long-term distribution capabilities across the mid-Atlantic and Midwest. In addition, we are very impressed with the Port of Virginia and its continued investments to ensure a smooth flow of goods.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the city of Suffolk to secure the project, for which Virginia competed with Georgia, New Jersey and South Carolina. Youngkin approved a $225,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to assist Suffolk. MSI is eligible to receive benefits from the Port of Virginia Economic and Infrastructure Development Zone Grant Program, and VEDP’s Virginia Jobs Investment Program will provide funding and services to support employee training.