Walmart opened a high-tech consolidation center in Lebanon, Pa., that will service all 42 of its regional distribution centers and, eventually, fulfillment centers as well. Once it reaches capacity, the 400,000-square-foot facility will leverage automated technology to enable three times more volume to flow through the supply chain. 
Only the second of its kind in Walmart’s supply chain, the facility can receive smaller, less-than-truckload shipments from suppliers and consolidate them into full truckloads that are then shipped to regional distribution centers. As a result, vendors will be able to deliver merchandise to a single location for consolidation rather than to each of the 42 regional distribution centers, creating opportunities for small- to medium-size suppliers unable to ship nationwide. The facility will eventually employ 1,000 associates in a variety of roles.
