Bob Evans distribution center at Airpark sold

Springfield location employees will be interviewed for positions.

SPRINGFIELD — Bob Evans Farms, Inc. has sold its distribution center at Airpark Ohio to Omaha-based Millard Refrigerated Services, a leading refrigerated warehousing and distribution services company.

The 55 full-time employees working there will undergo an interview process to clarify the upcoming transition and to see who will “continue to be positive contributors to the facilities,” said Tim Smith, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Millard.

“We see an opportunity to continue to grow our partnership with Bob Evans, but at the same time add additional clientele to our network,” Smith said. “It’s an opportunity to take advantage of a skilled workforce that has a handle on Bob Evans. We’re going through a comprehensive process.”

Millard officially takes over the 127,509 square foot facility Oct. 29, and will continue to ship Bob Evans brand products to the Eastern half of the United States, said Michael Townsley, president of Bob Evans food, the branch of Bob Evans that makes the grocery products.

Bob Evans sold the distribution facility to Millard as a way to improve the use of its transport fleet and to save money for other manufacturing projects, said Margaret Standing, director of corporate communications for Bob Evans.

“A distribution center is not what we do well, it’s what they do well,” Standing said.

Bob Evans already has a similar partnership with Millard in Texas. That Millard distribution center ships Bob Evans products to the Western and Southern part of the states, as well as other clients.

Bob Evans would not disclose the cost of the sale of the Airpark Ohio facility.

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0371 or emason@coxohio.com.

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