Tony Melfi, Brother International senior vice president and chief financial officer, said the company plans to start distribution operations from its new Richmond digs by the second quarter of 2019.
Brother is one of the world’s leading producers of printers, industrial sewing machines, large machine tools, label printers, typewriters, fax machines and other computer-related electronics.
An aerial shot of the Virginia I-95 distribution complex.
Melfi said the company is determining how many people it needs to staff its new Richmond operation. While he would not disclose how much the firm is looking to invest in the operation, he said the amount would be “significant.”
The company, which will keep its U.S. headquarters in Bridgewater, New Jersey, operates distribution centers in California, Illinois and Tennessee. This is its first foray into Virginia.
“The facility in New Jersey primarily serves the Northeast,” Melfi said of the Cranbury site. “Moving the operation to Richmond allows us to serve the entire East Coast from Maine to Florida.”
Brother’s pending Richmond facility also would serve some of its South American clients in Brazil, Chile, Argentina and Peru, Melfi said.
Transportation center helps selection
He said the site’s access to rail, roads and the Port of Richmond helped seal the deal.
“Richmond gave us an efficient distribution point for our East Coast operations.” Melfi said. “The access to Interstate 95 and the port were all important factors for us coming to Richmond.”
The site also sits in an enterprise zone, which allows the company to seek state grants for job growth and development, and rebates for machinery and equipment.
Melfi said Brother is not currently seeking any additional incentives from the city.
Phase II of the Virginia I-95 Distribution complex is underway and should be ready by August for occupancy.
Broker Matt Anderson of Colliers International represented Panattoni Development Co. in the deal. Gregg Christoffersen and Andy Zezas of JLL represented Brother International.
With phase one fully leased, Anderson said California-based Panattoni is readying phase two for occupancy by August. It’s being marketed to potential users for parts of or the entire facility.
William A. Hudgins, who oversees Panattoni’s Mid-Atlantic division, did not return a call or email for comment Tuesday afternoon.
Brother’s lease continues to add steam to city’s industrial sector growth.
Pennsylvania-based industrial company Kinsley in December announced plans to establish a steel fabrication plant in the former 27-acre Williams Bridge Co. complex at 700 E. Fourth St. and 1500 Goodes St. at the eastern edge of Manchester.
The company’s Richmond site will serve as a primary steel fabricator as it expands its foothold throughout Virginia and the Carolinas, and will employ about 70 skilled laborers.