Meyer Corporation U.S. Celebrates Official Opening of its AS/RS Building at its Main Distribution Center

VALLEJO, CA (August 9, 2010) - As a result of marked business growth and the success of all of its cookware brands, Meyer Corporation U.S. - the largest cookware company in the country - proudly announces the official opening of its new Daifuku Automated Storage & Retrieval Systems (AS/RS) building on the 59-acre campus of its main distribution center in Fairfield, California.  In celebration of this landmark building, which is designed to significantly reduce lead-time on shipping to retail customers, as well as maximize sales opportunities with all retail partners, Meyer is hosting a dedication event on Thursday, August 19 with prominent California government dignitaries in attendance.

"Our new AS/RS facility, which is one of the largest in the state of California, represents a major milestone in the company's history, and a huge leap forward in addressing both current and future warehousing and shipping needs for our retail customers," says Jay Zilinskas, Managing Director at Meyer Corporation, U.S.  "This remarkably designed, state-of-the-art building doubles the speed and volume of our shipping capabilities, and significantly enhances our efficiencies by allowing us to warehouse all of our cookware brands under one roof."

The new unit load AS/RS will house 66,000 pallets of kitchen products marketed and distributed by Meyer Corporation, U.S.  Fully automated, the new facility utilizes 12 cranes that can handle 60 pallets an hour.  Standing 100 feet tall, Meyer's AS/RS building features 11 million pounds of steel racking, spanning a 165,000 square foot pad and 11 stories.  Traditionally, steel buildings are built up, however the Meyer rack-supported AS/RS facility was built on the ground and then erected.  The 100-foot segments, which were built on the ground, were foisted by a crane and set into place.  The entire steel racking construction took 2 months to complete.  The AS/RS system was customized for Meyer by the automated material handling firm Daifuku America Corporation, experts in the field of Automated Storage & Retrieval Systems for a broad range of industries.

In keeping with the company's eco-minded business practices, the highly advanced AS/RS facility was constructed utilizing several state-of-the-art environment initiatives.  For example, 30,000 tons of recycled and reclaimed pavements were used to create the site, and 80 percent of the 11 million pounds of the site's steel racking was fabricated using reclaimed and recycled steel.  By choosing a vertical, space-saving design, Meyer was able to save 585,000 square feet of open land space. (The equivalent number of pallets in a flat traditional warehouse would have required the use of 750,000 square feet).  Moreover, the 39-acre AS/RS facility includes vegetated bio-swales and retention pond with a vegetated bottom to capture storm water runoff.  In addition, five acres of vernal pools are designated as an onsite wetland preserve.  In the future, Meyer will also have the capability of installing solar panels to the building's roof. (The AS/RS building is adjacent to the company's 365,000 square foot warehouse, which in 2007 was installed with a state-of-the-art 580kW solar panel system covering 51,000 square feet of the building's rooftop.)

"We're constantly challenging ourselves to maintain our forward-thinking, leadership role in the industry," says Zilinskas.  "We are always seeking out new and innovative ways to enhance our retail partnerships, strengthen our connection with consumers, and improve our standing as responsible, good corporate citizens in our communities."

The dedication ceremony for the new AS/RS building, scheduled for Thursday, August 19 at 11:15 a.m. will include the following featured speakers:  United States Congressman John Garamendi, The Honorable Harry Price, Mayor of Fairfield, Stanley Cheng, CEO of Meyer Corporation, U.S., and Nobo Morita, the President of Daifuku America. 

About Meyer - Meyer Corporation is the largest, and one of the most innovative cookware companies in the United States.  The Vallejo, California-based company distributes several high-profile cookware brands, including Anolon®, Circulon®, Farberware®, KitchenAid®, Rachael Ray,® Paula Deen® and SilverStone®.

About Daifuku Co., Ltd. - With over 20,000 global crane installations, Daifuku manufactures and engineers high-performance automated material handling systems, designed to meet and overcome any challenge.  Daifuku Co., Ltd is headquartered in Osaka, Japan.

About Daifuku America Corporation - Daifuku America, a North American affiliate of Daifuku Co., Ltd., provides automated material handling equipment including Automated Storage & Retrieval Systems (AS/RS), Sortation Systems, Conveyor & Transport Systems, and Warehouse Management Solutions and Warehouse Control Software.  For more information on Daifuku's products, visit www.daifukuamerica.com.

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