German retailer Lidl has opened a new regional headquarters and distribution centre in Cecil County, Maryland, which will serve as the ‘backbone’ of the company’s regional store network.
Commanding more than $100 million in investment, the project is set to create over 200 new full-time jobs.
The retailer claims that the 700,000 square-foot facility, which will supply products to stores in five states, will help it to meet customer needs during the current coronavirus pandemic.
Lidl US has also recently announced that all employees enrolled in its insurance scheme will be offered medical benefits covering testing and treatment related to COVID-19 at no cost.
“As we work hard to meet the surging needs of our customers during this critical time, we are thrilled to open our newest regional distribution centre in Cecil County, Maryland,” said Johannes Fieber, CEO of Lidl US.
“The facility will allow us to efficiently deliver our award-winning products to thousands of customers from Maryland to New York and support our expansion across the region.”
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan said: “Maryland is proud to support Lidl’s new regional distribution centre, which will create 200 new jobs when they are needed the most and enable the company to more efficiently deliver their high-quality products throughout the region at a time when demand is at an all-time high.
“We also commend Lidl’s commitment to providing all employees with health insurance as well as COVID-19 testing and treatment, which is critical to fighting this global pandemic.”
Lidl has opened several major new facilities worldwide in recent years, including in Serbia and in the UK, as the company looks to accelerate growth globally.