S&S Activewear Opens Most Sustainable Distribution Center in Its Network

S&S Activewear has relocated its operations from its 450,000 sq. ft. distribution center in Bolingbrook, Ill., to a brand new, 750,000 sq. ft., sustainability-focused distribution center in nearby Lockport. This new facility will expand the company’s Midwest footprint by 300,000 sq. ft. and bring its nationwide total to 3.5 million sq. ft.

S&S designed the Lockport distribution facility to support its mission of providing customers with increased access to the latest fashion-forward styles while remaining committed to sustainability.

“This was a wonderful opportunity to build a facility in line with our mission and values statement, which include sustainability objectives,” said Frank Myers, chief operating officer for S&S Activewear. “When we look at any greenfield project, we define a spec that includes all the details and features we require, ranging from more traditional operational items to important energy and sustainability features.”

The facility’s eco-design and characteristics are aligned with customers’ desire for environmental stewardship.

“There’s no question consumers across all end-markets expect their supply chains to be more environmentally focused,” Myers added. “The brands we partner with are focused on sustainability, as are we. Our company values having fun—and a big part of that is enjoying the outdoors with our friends, families, vendors and customers. As a company, we’re inspired to operate more responsibly and preserve our environment for future generations.”

Along with solar panels, high-efficiency L.E.D. lights with motion sensors throughout the Lockport facility will help minimize the company’s carbon footprint—an ongoing priority for the S&S team. A radiant heating system and increased airflow will keep team members comfortable throughout the year. S&S Lockport has also become the first distribution center in Illinois to install efficient, hands-free, waterless urinals, which will save up to 1 million gallons of water each year.

Because of the efforts of S&S and Prologis, the facility’s landlord, the distribution center has earned a Silver LEED rating. An initiative of the U.S. Green Building Council, the LEED building certification program focuses on encouraging a more sustainable approach to how buildings are designed, built and operated. The LEED program is made up of five main categories: Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, Materials and Resources, and Indoor Environmental Quality. Illinois topped the U.S. Green Building’s most recent annual list of top 10 states for LEED, which ranks states based on the number of LEED-certified square feet per person.

Just a short distance from the previous warehouse in Bolingbrook, the new facility (located at 16427 Prologis Parkway, Lockport, Ill.) is bigger, brighter and better equipped to handle the company’s growing product offerings.

“Our Bolingbrook facility was reaching capacity, so we needed to identify a location that could support our increasing demands for space and maintain our current employee base,” said S&S president Jim Shannon. “The Lockport facility provides significantly increased capacity for storage, along with state-of-the-art material-handling automation and technology.”

In addition, the move to Lockport will create an additional 100 jobs at S&S, making a positive economic impact on the local community.

"We're thrilled to create additional jobs in the Lockport area," Shannon added. "We take a lot of pride in supporting all of our local communities across the country."

The opening of the Lockport facility involved the support and collaboration of S&S’s partners, including Cushman & Wakefield, and Prologis. Thanks to their help, the expansion is a success.

“The State of Illinois, the City of Lockport, Mayor Steve Streit and City Administrator Ben Benson provided us the ability to move in quickly and efficiently,” Shannon said. “We’re excited to be part of the Lockport community.”

For more information on S&S Activewear, visit www.ssactivewear.com.