Harbor Wholesale Grocery Changes Name, Expands

LACEY, Wash. -- Harbor Wholesale Grocery Inc. has updated its logo and changed its name to Harbor Wholesale Foods. Over the past few years, the company has grown to become a major food distributor in the Northwest serving convenience stores, small grocery stores,drugstores and restaurants, CEO Justin Erickson said in a statement.

"Our business continues to evolve, as we expand our offerings in foodservice, fresh and other products for people on the go," he said. "As our product mix and customer base evolve, we feel it necessary to broaden the description of who we are and who we intend to be in the future."

A few weeks ago, the company also moved to a new company headquarters and distribution center in Lacey, Wash. The new facility is 200,000 square feet.

"We are committed to diversifying our business for the long term, to accommodate shifting consumer demand as people seek high-quality foods that are fast and fresh," Erickson said. "Our new headquarters includes 35,000 square feet of frozen and refrigerated space, automated handling systems and 24,000 square feet of office space, with a training room that includes a commercial test kitchen."

Erickson foresees a transition in the convenience industry, as traditional in-store categories, such as cigarettes, face declines. "We can't bet our future on tobacco," he said. "However, I believe we can count on people remaining time starved and looking for quality products while on the go, wherever they may be. Our infrastructure is designed to support fresh, foodservice and the opportunity for our customers to consolidate vendors and utilize Harbor as their primary vendor."

The new Lacey distribution center will serve Washington, northern Idaho, Montana, Alaska and parts of northern Oregon. The company's Roseburg Distribution Center in Oregon serves that state, plussouthern Idaho and northern California.