Hagerstown, Maryland, is now home to the largest single distribution center in the state, as logistics provider GXO and consumer goods giant Conair announced the opening of a 2.1 million square foot facility. The new facility will help boost Maryland’s economic landscape by creating approximately 700 new jobs over the next decade. The distribution center is not only Maryland's largest but also the largest in the nation dedicated to small appliances.
“We are proud to expand our partnership with Conair with a brand new facility, strategically located in the mid-Atlantic region to serve customers up and down the eastern seaboard helping fuel Conair’s future growth,” said Jorge Guanter, President, Americas & Asia Pacific, GXO. “Together, we will bring new jobs to the community and deliver a great customer experience.”
The opening in Hagerstown was commemorated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Gaunter, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, and representatives from Conair and its private equity partners. The facility is poised to serve all major markets along the eastern seaboard, from the mid-Atlantic to the Northeast.
GXO, the world’s leading pure-play contract logistics provider, began operations at this new hub in March. The center supports Conair’s diverse portfolio, which includes brands like Cuisinart, Conair, BaByliss, Scünci, and Waring, with products ranging from kitchen appliances and cookware to personal care items and travel accessories.
Dan Kochenash, Senior Vice President of Distribution and Logistics at Conair, highlighted the company's partnership with GXO. “Our work with GXO over the last five years has demonstrated their strong track record of operational and customer service excellence, and we are happy to be working with them on this new project.”
The facility is equipped with advanced automation, including autonomous mobile robots, to boost efficiency, productivity, accuracy, and safety. This technological integration not only enhances operational capabilities but also fosters a more engaging and positive work environment for GXO team members.
In addition to operational advancements, GXO is committed to environmental sustainability. The company has set ambitious targets, including achieving carbon neutrality by 2040. By reducing transportation miles by 60%, the new facility will also help Conair cut its distribution operations’ annual CO2 emissions significantly — the equivalent of removing about 420 automobiles from the road each year.
“This new facility will enable us to be more responsive to our customers’ needs and has the capacity to support our plans for growth. We’re pleased to have this new hub in Maryland to serve our customers’ needs across the east coast and look forward to taking advantage of new opportunities for greater efficiency and new growth,” Kochenash added.