ALDI Inc. East Coast Regional Headquarters and Distribution Center

Photo Credit: A M King fully owns photography and usage rights.

Due to growth in regional sales, ALDI Inc. needed to locate a Regional Headquarters/Distribution Center to the Richmond, Virginia area. Critical goals for this 580,732 sf greenfield distribution center and regional headquarters included: a larger percentage of perishables storage; roof-top penthouses for the storage areas and air units located in the refrigerated dock; 32′ feet clear height in all storage areas; maximum flexibility for racking (i.e., minimal cross-bracing); load-bearing tilt panels with interior tubular steel columns; high-efficiency HVAC throughout; and above all, a facility intended to last a minimum of 40 years. This facility serves nearly 80 ALDI stores across Central Virginia, Hampton Roads and eastern North Carolina and employs nearly 200 people. More than 600 local workers were employed during the 17-month construction project making it one of the largest economic development projects in the region in recent years.

Providing Added Value

The use of Design-Build created a collaborative effort at all levels of the project team. One example of how the team’s collaboration brought value to ALDI was the decision to shift to precast panels. Due to the proximity of a precast plant able to produce load bearing panels, the Design-Build team recommended changing from tilt. While there were several project challenges — all challenges the design-build team was able to overcome — this particular change resulted in savings to ALDI of more than $1.2 million.

The team also implemented sustainability initiatives including a 100 percent LED lighting design, which achieved 52 percent more efficient lighting for the interior and 69 percent for the exterior than mandated by the current energy code. The facility invested in a roof-mounted solar array capable of delivering a peak of 1.66 Megawatts of energy to offset demand from the utility.

Design-Build Team