Hewlett-Packard Plans $25 Million Expansion
Hewlett-Packard will open a $25 million, 800,000 square foot distribution center in Memphis, creating 500 jobs. The Palo Alto, California-based company will locate to a new facility at Chickasaw Distribution Park, where the company launched a 625,000 square foot distribution center two years ago. The computer manufacturer’s latest announcement in Memphis is part of its original plans for a massive light assembly and distribution operation in Memphis that will eventually consist of 1.6 million square feet.

Brownsville Selected for Distribution Center
The Drescher Corp., a redistributor of food items and subsidiary of Alliant Exchange, has begun construction of the first phase of a $15 million, 335,000 square foot warehouse, with plans to continue work in two more phases that will bring the size of the structure to one million square feet. The warehouse and distribution center will eventually employ 600 people.

Hamilton Beach/Proctor-Silex Expands in Memphis
Richmond, Virginia-based Hamilton Beach/Proctor-Silex is expanding its distribution facility by 250,000 square feet at Memphis Industrial Park and adding 150 new jobs. The manufacturer of small electric appliances will lease space in a 400,000 square foot warehouse being constructed next to the company’s existing 500,000 square foot facility.

International Paper Sending Jobs to Memphis
International Paper Company will close the former Champion International Knightsbridge support services complex in Hamilton, Ohio and subsequently add 163 new jobs in Memphis by the end of 2001. The new jobs include 30 positions coming to IP’s operational headquarters in Memphis. Most of those positions will be filled by new hires in Memphis and will provide additional staffing for company support services already located in several Memphis offices. The specific functions include information technology services, financial shared services center, employee service center and human resources. IP completed its merger with Champion International last summer. The decision to close Champion’s Knightsbridge complex prevents much duplication of company support services at two operational centers in Memphis and Hamilton.