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Tag: Fulfillment Centers

  • TikTok Is Planning to Build US Fulfillment Centers

    TikTok Is Planning to Build US Fulfillment Centers

    TikTok appears to be moving forward with its e-commerce plans, with it reportedly looking to build US fulfillment centers.

    TikTok is reportedly planning to expand its e-commerce ambitions, with a possible launch of TikTok Shop in the US in time for the holidays. According to Axios, the company is now planning to build fulfillment centers in the US.

    The discovery comes from various TikTok job postings, more than a dozen total, that describe an escalation of e-commerce plans.

    “By providing warehousing, delivery, and customer service returns, our mission is to help sellers improve their operational capability and efficiency, provide buyers a satisfying shopping experience and ensure fast and sustainable growth of TikTok Shop,” reads one job listing.

    Another Seattle-area job listing describes building fulfillment centers “from scratch.”

    It’s clear that TikTok is looking to significantly grow its e-commerce ambitions, although it remains to be seen what regulatory hurdles the company may encounter. Lawmakers are already leery of the company as a result of its ties to Beijing and its absolutely horrible reputation for privacy. It’s a safe bet the US will not be thrilled with the company becoming more intertwined with users’ lives and data.

  • Amazon To Open Another Fulfillment Center In Washington

    Amazon began its life in Washington state in 1994. Since then, the online retailer has set up shop in numerous states and countries around the world. Now the retailer is returning home bringing with it jobs and a new warehouse.

    Amazon announced this morning that it will be opening a new 1 million-square-foot fulfillment center in Kent, Washington this year. The new fulfillment center will be the fourth in the state with two already existing in Summer and Bellevue, and one in DuPont nearing completion.

    The new fulfillment center in Kent will focus on small items such as “books, electronics and consumer goods.”

    “We’re excited to bring hundreds of great full-time jobs with benefits to Kent and proud to further invest in Washington state with this new fulfillment center,” said Mike Roth, Amazon’s vice president of North America operations. “We are grateful to local and state elected officials who have supported Amazon in bringing a new fulfillment center to the state of Washington.”

    As always, a new fulfillment center means state officials are going to pay themselves on the back:

    “Amazon’s expansion is great news for the people who will be working in the hundreds of great jobs there, as well as for all of Washington,” said Governor Jay Inslee. “Amazon is a marquee company for how Washington innovation can change the world.”

    Heck, even the Washington State Department of Commerce gets into the self-congratulatory back patting:

    “Amazon’s latest expansion of their hometown footprint, bringing so many great jobs, is extremely important to help grow and diversify the Kent Valley economy,” said Brian Bonlender, director for the Washington State Department of Commerce. “The company’s decision also highlights the numerous advantages that attract and keep world-class employers in Washington State, including a highly competitive business climate, well-educated workforce and outstanding quality of life. We are proud that Amazon continues to invest in our state and look forward to supporting their growth.”

    Despite my cynicism, new fulfillment centers are generally a great thing. Amazon will be creating hundreds of decent paying jobs in the area. Full-time employees at the fulfillment center not only get a decent wage and healthcare, but programs like Career Choice as well. The program pays up to 95 percent of an employee’s tuition for them to pursue any career they like, even if it takes them away from Amazon.

    If you want to know more, check out the Amazon Fulfillment Web site.

    Image via Amazon

  • Amazon To Open Three New Texas Fulfillment Centers

    Amazon announced today that it intends to open three new fulfillment centers in Texas, which the company says will create over 1,000 new jobs in the state. They’ll be located in Coppell, Haslet and Schertz.

    Fulfillment by Amazon“We appreciate the state and local elected officials who have helped us make this exciting investment in the state of Texas,” said Mike Roth, Amazon’s vice president of North American fulfillment.

    Texas Comptroller Susan Combs said, “We’re pleased Amazon is investing in Texas by bringing three fulfillment centers and more than 1,000 jobs to our state. I thank Amazon for working with us—making it possible to bring new jobs and revenue to the state of Texas.”

    The mayor of each city shared similar sentiments.

    “This is the biggest economic development partnership announcement in the history of our city,” said Haslet Mayor Bob Golden. “The jobs and potential tax base that this development will bring to our community is a major milestone in our city’s growth.”

    “Amazon, coming to Coppell, complements our strategy of building a quality business base that supports the community and the region,” said Coppell Mayor Karen Hunt. “We are thrilled Amazon chose Coppell for a new fulfillment center. We recognize their large capital investment and new jobs brought to this area.”

    Schertz Mayor Michael Carpenter added, “We are thrilled to formally and officially welcome Amazon to Schertz. The investment Amazon is making in our community is significant, and it is a manifest expression by yet another highly successful and well-respected company that Schertz is a great place to do business.”

    Amazon says its fulfillment center jobs pay on average 30% more than traditional retail jobs (not including stock grants).

    Last week, Amazon also announced that it will be opening a new California fulfillment center in Tracy.

    The company reported its Q4 and full-year 2012 earnings on Tuesday, missing analysts’ estimates, with a 22% increase in net sales, but a 45% decrease in net income.