FCA US recently celebrated the official opening of a new Mopar Parts Distribution Center (PDC) in Winchester, Virginia. The 400,000-plus square-foot facility represents a $12.2 million investment by FCA US and more than 70 jobs over two shifts. It is also the first of two new Mopar PDCs scheduled to open in the U.S. this year.

FCA US and UAW leadership were joined by federal and state government dignitaries and dealership representatives in marking the Winchester PDC grand opening. Ceremony attendees included Pietro Gorlier, Head of Parts and Service (Mopar), FCA – Global; Norwood Jewell, UAW Vice President and Director of the Chrysler Department; Mark Bosanac, Director – NAFTA Supply Chain Management and Global Parts Supply Chain Management and Operations; Kevin Farrish, President, Farrish Chrysler Dodge Jeep_® Ram; Urooj Mughal, representative for U.S. Senator Tim Kaine; Dave Stegmaier, Director of Community Outreach for U.S. Representative Barbara Comstock; and Hayes Framme, Virginia Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Trade.

“We are celebrating our 80th anniversary in 2017, and throughout the years customer satisfaction has been and continues to be the Mopar brand’s No. 1 priority,” said Pietro Gorlier, Head of Parts and Service (Mopar), FCA – Global. “This new Parts Distribution Center builds upon our mission, allowing us to more quickly and efficiently serve our dealers and customers, delivering the parts they need, when they need them. This is our 22nd PDC in North America and we’ll continue to expand our distribution network as the parts and accessories business keeps growing.”

“Today’s opening adds more than 70 jobs to the Virginia economy and makes the Mopar brand’s delivery of parts to dealers and consumers more efficient. FCA continues to grow, which is a constant reminder that the auto loans were a great investment,” said Jewell.

A framed Congressional Record statement issued by Congresswoman Comstock was presented in honor of the official opening of the PDC. A special Mopar logo, featuring a commemorative plaque and signed by all event attendees, was also presented to Winchester PDC employees and management during the ceremony.

The new facility will handle more than 50,000 total part numbers distributed to over 200 FCA US dealerships, located primarily in the Mid-Atlantic region. It will ship approximately 9.2 million pieces annually.

FCA US invested $12.2 million in equipment for the Winchester facility. In addition to the more than 70 jobs created, FCA US is also utilizing local resources for assistance in areas such as janitorial services, facilities management and exterior building maintenance.

The Winchester operation expands the brand’s current distribution network to 22 facilities in North America, with more than 50 PDCs (including joint ventures) in operation worldwide.

In addition to the Winchester PDC, FCA US has also announced a $10.4 million investment in a new Mopar PDC located in Romulus, Michigan. That facility will encompass 500,000 square feet and more than 100 workers. Construction is currently in progress on the Metro Detroit facility, with a projected opening in 2017 fourth quarter.