Fully automated distribution center will expand capacity, bring inventory closer to West and Southwest customers and support continued growth

S&S, a tech-forward leader in branded merchandise distribution, today announced plans to open a new 500,000-square-foot distribution center in the Phoenix metro area, marking the latest step in the company’s ongoing investment to expand and modernize its North American footprint.

Slated to begin operations in late summer 2027, the fully automated facility will expand S&S’s capacity across the West and Southwest, allowing it to position more inventory in the region and maintain the fast, consistent service customers count on.

“We’re excited to establish a presence in the Phoenix area and invest in a region that is increasingly important to our business,” S&S Chief Executive Officer Frank Myers said. “As our customers find new ways to move their businesses forward, we must keep evolving alongside them. This facility will help us better support our current customers, reach new ones and build on the strong momentum we’ve created across our distribution network.”

The Phoenix facility will feature advanced goods-to-person automation that brings products directly to team members, increasing the speed and efficiency of order fulfillment. It will also incorporate ZeroTouch, S&S’s proprietary technology that uses box- and garment-level QR codes to streamline receiving for customers and help them move products into production faster.

The investment is part of a broader S&S strategy to add capacity and advance the technology behind its distribution network. The company has invested more than $200 million in distribution automation, helping increase productivity, achieve 99.9% order accuracy and build a network that reaches approximately 98% of customers within one to two days.

That strategy extends across North America. In June, S&S announced plans to move to a larger facility in Vancouver, British Columbia, more than doubling its footprint in the region. Expected to become operational in the fourth quarter this year, the new facility will add an estimated 20,000 pick locations, introduce autonomous mobile robots and support an estimated $50 million investment in inventory to better serve customers across Western Canada.

“This is about building a stronger network for what comes next,” S&S Chief Operating Officer Josh Clark said. “We will continue investing in the inventory, capacity and technology that help our customers grow and operate more efficiently.”

About S&S: Founded in 1988 and headquartered in Bolingbrook, Illinois, S&S is a tech-forward leader in branded merchandise distribution, helping customers grow through a powerful combination of products, technology, services and business solutions. With more than 80 brands and an expansive distribution network, S&S empowers businesses across North America with the scale, expertise and reliability they need to succeed.

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“This is about building a stronger network for what comes next,” S&S Chief Operating Officer Josh Clark said. “We will continue investing in the inventory, capacity and technology that help our customers grow and operate more efficiently.”