The new distribution center, if approved, would replace one in West Springfield.
WESTFIELD – UTZ Quality Foods Inc. is the latest company interested in building a distribution center on this city’s north side.
Considerably smaller than other distributions centers currently operating here, UTZ will present plans for a 10,000-square-foot distribution center off Root Road to the Planning Board on Tuesday for site approval
The proposal could mean an additional 15 jobs for the city, city planner Lawrence B. Smith said earlier this week. UTZ wants to break ground on the facility by early spring, Smith said.
The center will replace one currently operated by UTZ in West Springfield and provide twice as much space.
Jeffrey V. Dadmun, manager of the West Springfield center, referred questions on the Westfield proposal to Greg Lloyd, director of independent distributors for UTZ, but said the relocation to Westfield will allow growth for the regional distribution of snack foods. Lloyd could not be reached for comment.
The center will serve stores throughout Western Massachusetts, as far north as Pittsfield and North Adams and to the south into northern Connecticut. Currently, there are nine route drivers assigned to the West Springfield facility, according to Dadmun. He has managed the West Springfield facility since 2002.
UTZ, of Hanover, Pa., was founded in 1921 and currently has distribution centers along the east coast from Maine to North Carolina, according to its website. It is a producer of snack foods that range from pretzel pieces to potato and tortilla chips.
The snack food producer currently operates five distribution centers, including West Springfield, in Massachusetts. They are located in North Easton, South Yarmouth, Wilmington and Shrewsbury. UTZ also has a center located in East Hartford, Conn.
Ward 1 City Councilor Christopher Keefe, who represents that area of the city, said he has not yet seen the UTZ plans, but “this could be exactly the type of development Westfield is looking for in that area. We want something that will bring minimal disruption to the neighborhood, and a 10,000-square-foot center should do just that.”
If built, UTZ distribution will join Preferred Freezer Services and C & S Wholesalers as food distribution centers located on Westfield’s north side.
Home Depot opened its massive 657,000-square-foot rapid distribution deployment center Dec. 14 on Campanelli Drive. Home Depot is a neighbor of the 145,293-square-foot Preferred Freezer facility that opened in 2006.