Uponor’s sustainable distribution center opens

APPLE VALLEY, MINN. — Uponor opened its new 285,000-sq.-ft. sustainable distribution center, located in Lakeville, Minn., March 23. The new building, which houses Uponor’s primary North American distribution operations, is applying for LEED certification and features many green building solutions, including Uponor’s own radiant floor heating and cooling in the office areas as well as snow and ice melting in the sidewalks and dock ramps outside.

“We are very excited for the opportunities this new facility offers us,” said Anders Tollsten, executive vice president of Uponor North America. “The efficient design helps us continue our strategy for enhancing our distribution network serving the North American market as well as meet our goals of becoming a more green, sustainable company.”

The build-to-suit facility is located in the new First Park Lakeville development, a 1.4-million-sq.-ft. master-planned industrial park. The facility, which is larger than Uponor’s former distribution center in Burnsville, Minn., features a more efficient design that offers 30% more cubic volume for greater storage space. It is also a more productive layout for employees who support areas in shipping, receiving, operations, customer service and supply chain.

“This building is specifically designed and located to provide several benefits for our operations,” said Dan Hughes, Uponor’s real estate and development manager. “It is more operationally efficient and offers our employees, customers and business partners convenient access from freeways as well as our corporate headquarters in Apple Valley.”