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FLORENCE: Ground breaks for new distribution center

Destination Maternity Corp., a maternity apparel retailer, announced its plans to relocate its corporate headquarters and distribution center from Philadelphia in September 2013.

by Amy Batista, Special Writer
FLORENCE — Destination Maternity officially broke ground at its site in the Haines Center on Friday morning.
   Destination Maternity Corp., a maternity apparel retailer, announced its plans to relocate its corporate headquarters and distribution center from Philadelphia in September 2013.
   The new distribution warehouse and logistics building will be situated on a 37-acre site located at 1000 John Galt Way in the Haines Center along the Route 130 corridor.
   ”Destination Maternity, thank you for calling Florence home,” said Mayor Craig Wilkie during the ceremony. “We are fortunate enough to have you here. You are going to be a major employer in our community and we appreciate that.
   ”We are looking at over 2,000 jobs,” Mayor Wilkie added. “What you folks are doing here today and what the state is doing in order to get people back to working is so important for us because that’s the only way we can go together and move forward. We want businesses here. We welcome everybody here. We want your participation and together as a community we can grow together.”
   Tom Heitzman, president of Whitesell Construction Company, noted that Destination Maternity is part of the additional 1.1 million square feet of space that will be completed at the Haines Center over the next year.
   Mr. Heitzman recognized the important role that Mayor Wilkie, council, the Planning Board, Township Administrator Richard Brook and township staff and professional’s efforts and support in bringing the project to fruition.
   ”You have really demonstrated to us that Florence Township is serious about business development and progress and for that we are grateful,” Mr. Heitzman said.
   Ed Krell, chief executive officer of Destination Maternity, thanked Florence Township and its officials for welcoming them and offering ongoing support as the company and its team members begin the “exciting new chapter” in the history of the retailer.
   ”Our Destination Maternity team members and our partners at Whitesell Construction Company have been diligently working on the planning stages of this project for several months,” Mr. Krell said.
   Destination Maternity was started in 1982 as a small catalog business called Mothers Work. Since then Mr. Krell said, the company has become the “world’s largest designer and retailer in maternity apparel.”
   The company boasts over $500 million of annual sales, nearly 3,000 retail distribution points worldwide, 1,893 retail locations, including 606 stores predominantly under the trade names Motherhood Maternity, A Pea in the Pod and Destination Maternity, he said.
   The company also has 1,287 leased department locations and sells items at DestinationMaternity.com and other brand-specific websites. Destination Maternity also distributes its Oh Baby by Motherhood collection through a licensed arrangement with Kohl’s stores throughout the U.S. and on Kohls.com.
   ”Given our growth over time and our corporate goals for continued growth both here in the U.S. and internationally we realized we needed to expand and improve both our headquarters facilities and our distribution facilities,” Mr. Krell said.
   ”Once operational in early to mid-2015 this new built-to-suit state of the art 400,000-square foot distribution facility will greatly increase the capacity and efficiency of our distribution operations,” he said. “This new facility is a very important building block for our company to help us reach our full potential as the global leader in the maternity apparel business and to help us to continue to serve expecting moms like no one else can.”
   A critical factor in the relocation decision to come to the area was the economic assistance provided by the state under the Grow New Jersey Assistance Program as well as Florence Township’s agreement to provide tax incentives under their Payments in Lieu of Taxes program, he said.
   ”Without these financial incentives it would’ve been impossible for us to make this relocation project a reality,” he said. “We are very, very grateful to the state of New Jersey and Florence Township for believing in our company and making a significant investment in our future and in the future of their township and state.”
   Tim Lizura, COO of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, also offered congrautlations on behalf of the Christie Administration and Lt. Gov. Kim Guadango.
   ”We have a great partnership with the township and we have a great staple of businesses welcoming a company like Destination Maternity to that staple is something we look forward to every day,” said Mr. Lizura.
   Council President Ted Lovenduski, who was also on hand for the ground breaking ceremony, noted the importance the big companies will have in helping the little business to grow as well.
   ”It is very important for a community like ours to have these companies come in,” said Mr. Lovenduski. “It not only helps the big companies but it helps the little grocery stores, it helps the mom and pops deli, it helps everything.”
   Burlington County Freeholder Director Bruce Garganio said the ceremony was a proud moment for the county “It’s a great project,” said Mr. Garganio. “It’s the way business needs to be done in the State of New Jersey.”
   Saving jobs and bringing good businesses into our area, he added.
   ”We want to see more like this,” Mr. Garganio said. “I would like to wish you luck. Welcome to Burlington County.”