It has been sold to Omaha-based Millard Refrigerated Services, a leading refrigerated warehousing and distribution services company.
Tim Smith, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Millard, indicated the current 55 full-time employees will go through an interview process to clarify the upcoming transition and to see who will “continue to be positive contributors to the facilities.”
Smith also said “we see an opportunity to continue to grow our partnership with Bob Evans, but at the same time add additional clientele to our network.” It’s an opportunity to take advantage of a skilled workforce that has a handle on Bob Evans. We’re going through a comprehensive process.”
Millard officially takes over the 127,509 square foot facility Oct. 29, and will continue to ship Bob Evans brand products to the Eastern half of the United States.
Margaret Standing, director of corporate communications for Bob Evans, indicated the company sold the distribution facility to Millard as a way to improve the use of its transport fleet and to save money for other manufacturing projects.
“A distribution center is not what we do well, it’s what they do well,” Standing said.
Bob Evans already has a similar partnership with Millard in Texas. That distribution center ships Bob Evans products to the Western and Southern part of the states, as well as other clients.
The sale price of the Airpark Ohio facility was not disclosed.