ATI Products Inc. plans to open a distribution center this fall in the Westside Industrial Park.
The center comprises two companies that distribute parts for agricultural and turf equipment. Both are owned by the worldwide John Deere outdoor and farming equipment conglomerate.
Robert Fuller, ATI Products regional manager of distribution for Eastern North America, said Thursday that Jacksonville was chosen because it provides one-day delivery throughout the state with UPS service.
Fuller, based at ATI Products’ office in North Carolina, said a general manager has been hired for the location, which will employ six people.
The center will stock about $2 million in inventory and distribute parts for all makes of agriculture equipment and for lawn and turf equipment.
Fuller said the turf parts distribution will begin Aug. 27 and the agriculture parts distribution begins Oct. 22.
Fuller said the distribution covers Florida, South Georgia and into Alabama with next-day service to dealers.
“Jacksonville is the only city in Florida that, distributionwise, you can hit every local market in Florida with next-day service with UPS,” Fuller said. He said 99 percent of ATI’s packages are shipped through UPS.
Fuller said the center is on a five-year lease with a five-year option. He said the company might consider bringing products through the port of Jacksonville as it grows.
The City approved a building permit Wednesday for Pattillo Construction Corp. to renovate 40,350 square feet of space at 4101 Bulls Bay Highway at a cost of $143,598.
The center will be a wholesale distributor to equipment dealers, lawnmower shops and farm equipment dealers.
“Overall business has been good,” Fuller said. “We are in the parts business, and the economy drives the parts business.”
Fuller said if the economy is slow, people tend to repair their equipment rather than replace it.
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