S&S Activewear (asi/84358), the third-largest supplier by revenue in the North American promotional products industry, is expanding operations in the Midwest, with a 200,000-square-foot distribution center in West Chester Township, OH.

Located just outside Cincinnati, the facility will expand the supplier’s distribution network and improve service levels while also reducing pressure on other locations within the network to better serve a growing customer base in the region, according to S&S.

Jim Shannon, CEO of S&S Activewear

“This facility is a significant investment in our future and underscores our commitment to providing best-in-class service and product availability to our customers in the Midwest and the eastern United States,” said Frank Myers, president of S&S Activewear. “By creating transportation efficiencies, the West Chester Township facility also allows us to reduce our carbon impact in the region.”

S&S has taken several steps to reduce its environmental impact in recent years, whether through emissions-offsetting initiatives or by using solar-generated energy at its facilities. In 2019, the supplier opened a LEED-certified distribution center in Lockport, IL that includes solar panels and high-efficiency LED lights with motion sensors.

The new facility will increase S&S Activewear’s total North American warehouse space to over 4.3 million square feet. In addition to bringing approximately 175 jobs to the greater Cincinnati region, the new distribution center will create additional next-day delivery options for a portion of the supplier’s customer base.

“S&S is committed to providing a high quality of life for our employees,” said CEO Jim Shannon. “We believe that by investing in our employees, we can attract and retain the best talent in the industry.”

S&S plans to open the warehouse in late Q3, with full shipping operations beginning in early Q4.

Headquartered in Bolingbrook, IL, S&S Activewear has reported 2020 North American promo products revenue of $1.4 billion. The company’s majority stakeholder is private equity firm Clayton, Dubilier and Rice. In addition to adding warehouse space, the supplier has also been growing via acquisition. In April, S&S acquired TSF Apparel, just months after it had acquired TSC Apparel.