Wal-Mart Stores on Wednesday held opening ceremonies for a dedicated e-commerce fulfillment facility in Bethlehem, Pa.
The 1.2-million-square-foot center is part of a “next-generation” network to support Walmart’s rapidly growing e-commerce business. It features state-of-the-art automation and warehousing systems. Combined with another facility nearby, Walmart’s centers are expected to generate nearly 1,000 new jobs over the next few years.
“This project will give workers new opportunities while helping to grow the economy throughout the entire Lehigh Valley," Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf said in a statement. “New business expansion like this shows why it is such an exciting time to live and work in the growing and vibrant Lehigh Valley community.”
The grand-opening celebration featured donations to local organizations, including a $31,000 check to Second Harvest Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley as part of Walmart’s “Fight Hunger. Spark Change.” campaign. Through this initiative, more than $400,000 will be distributed to food banks throughout Pennsylvania this summer.

The new facility is part of a network — Walmart distribution centers, existing e-commerce facilities, 4,500 Walmart stores and a world-class transportation fleet — that ships packages faster and more efficiently, while offering customers more choices for how they want to receive their online orders, the company said.
“This Bethlehem facility is part of a dense, multi-faceted network that combines new buildings, existing fulfillment assets, and our portfolio of stores to create thousands of points of distribution,” Neil Ashe, CEO, Walmart Global eCommerce said. “All of these elements working together enhance our ability to get more products to customers faster, at a lower cost, and provide more choices for shoppers.”