A leading outdoor retailer REI will open a third distribution center in Goodyear, Arizona. The facility will better support its stores and customers through faster product replenishment and delivery. The 400,000 square-foot facility, on 34 acres in the Phoenix suburb, should be operational in July 2016 and employ approximately 120 employees.

"We are privileged to join the community of Goodyear as we expand our distribution capacity and services to the southwest market," said Rick Bingle, REI's Vice President of Supply Chain. "The Goodyear distribution center will enable us to continue to focus on the needs of customers by moving our gear and apparel more quickly and efficiently, now and into the future."

The new distribution center will serve approximately 40 stores. In addition, Retail and REI.com customers will benefit from shorter cycle times required to replenish product, ensuring for more options on store shelves and shorter deliveries, company officials said. Once the Goodyear facility is up and running, the company will reach 20 percent more customers with two-day ground service.

The Goodyear facility will complement REI's existing distribution centers in Sumner, Washington and Bedford, Pennsylvania. REI selected Goodyear as the site for its new distribution center after looking at several other locations in the southwest region.

"Staying true to the co-op's values, the facility is being designed and constructed with sustainability and community at the forefront," said Bingle. "REI is making choices to limit demands on natural resources whenever possible."

The building will be designed using the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards, aiming to achieve a minimum of LEED Gold certification. The goal is to reduce energy consumption in the building, reduce energy costs and provide a more comfortable working environment for employees. In addition, the company is pursuing ways to minimize water use inside and outside the building, particularly for cooling and landscaping needs.