Amazon’s U.S. Logistics Footprint is Expanding

Amazon.com, Inc. yesterday announced plans to open its first fulfillment center in Colorado, with the one-million square foot facility in Aurora is expected to create more than 1,000 new full-time jobs,


As reported by Business Insider, Amazon is bulking up its logistics network at home.

After adding 26 new fulfillment centers in the US in 2017, the e-commerce giant on Monday announced that it was opening up another new facility in Colorado.

That comes after the company announced plans for similar centers in Maryland, Florida, and Texas just this month, which itself is part of a larger stated effort to add more than 100,000 jobs, of all varieties, in the US over the next 18 months.

That’s a lot!

This chart from Statista (below) should put Amazon’s continued expansion into perspective.

According to data from supply chain consulting firm MWPVL International, the company is expanding its footprint, in some form or another, into a wider swath of the country.

It all sounds nice at a time when President Trump is fixated on boosting domestic manufacturing jobs, but the reality may not be quite as rosy.

Recent analysis said that many of Amazon’s current job listings aren’t for blue-collar positions, and the centers themselves are increasingly staffed by robots, furthering the larger existential threat to low-skill positions.

Amazon Announces First Fulfillment Center in Colorado, Creating 1,000 Full-Time Jobs
Associates at the new Aurora facility will pick, pack, and ship large-sized customer orders

Amazon.com, Inc. today announced plans to open its first fulfillment center in Colorado. The one-million square foot facility in Aurora is expected to create more than 1,000 new full-time jobs, which is in addition to the hundreds of associates currently employed at the Amazon sortation center located in the same city.

“We are excited to create 1,000 new full-time jobs in Colorado that pay 30 percent higher than traditional retail jobs and receive comprehensive benefits starting on day one,” said Akash Chauhan, Amazon’s vice president of North America Operations. “One of the benefits we are most proud of is Career Choice, in which Amazon pre-pays 95% tuition for courses related to in-demand fields, regardless of whether the skills are relevant to a career at Amazon. More than 9,000 employees have pursued degrees through this program and we couldn’t be prouder of their successes.”

“It’s always great news when a company as innovative as Amazon makes an investment in Colorado,” said Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper. “The company’s announcement of a second facility and many more jobs for our state is something to celebrate. We are thrilled Amazon has discovered our talented workforce here in Colorado and we look forward to our ongoing partnership.”

Amazon employees at the Aurora fulfillment center will pick, pack and ship larger customer items, such as sports equipment, musical instruments and furniture.

“We knew Amazon coming to Aurora meant the creation of great jobs for this community and the arrival of a strong corporate neighbor,” said Aurora Mayor Steve Hogan. “Our community has already benefited from their presence here and the announcement of a second facility is very exciting because it means continued economic growth in Aurora and the surrounding communities. The hundreds of new jobs this facility will create will have a significant positive impact on our city and the wider region.”

“Today’s announcement from Amazon is another vote of confidence for our economic development efforts in Colorado,” said Aurora Economic Development Council President and CEO, Wendy Mitchell. “The City of Aurora’s expedited permitting process was key to this project. I’m thrilled Amazon has chosen to expand its operations here and I am grateful to have Amazon as a corporate partner who is committed to providing our talented workforce with quality jobs.”

 

Related Article: Amazon to Create More Than 100,000 New U.S. Jobs over the Next 18 Months


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