FORT WORTH, Texas – Ben E. Keith Co. is building a new distribution center in Selma, Texas. The broadline foodservice distributor recently held a ground-breaking ceremony to commemorate the start of construction at the site.

The 510,000-sq.-ft. facility is located on 89 acres in northwest Selma, according to the company, and should be complete by the fall of 2018. The center will be LEED Certified and will include an automatic slotting and retrieval system, a test kitchen and training center.

“We have enjoyed our growth in the San Antonio, Austin, Hill Country, and South Texas markets for over 25 years,” said Mike Sweet, president of Ben E. Keith Foods. “A new state-of-the-art facility will continue our mission to be a better partner for our customers and to provide our employees with an exceptional work environment.”

Ben E. Keith is the eighth-largest broad line foodservice distributor in the United States. Established in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1906 the company operates eight divisions shipping to 14 states throughout the US.