SanMar (PPAI 110788, Platinum), the No. 1 supplier in the PPAI 100, recently welcomed over 500 customers, industry leaders, community partners and employees to the grand opening celebration of its new East Coast flagship, which spans more than 1.1 million square feet, making it the largest facility in SanMar’s network.

The event, held on October 10, offered a first look at the Issaquah, Washington-based company’s new distribution center, located in Hanover County, Virginia – just north of Richmond.

“This facility represents a huge investment in our future and in our customers. And it’s one of many,” says Jeremy Lott, president and CEO at SanMar. “Across the board, we’re leveraging and developing new technology that enables us to better serve our partners. This warehouse is part of a nationwide optimization of our nine distribution centers, already known for providing reliably deep inventory. The upgrades we’re making enable us to do even better.”

Across the board, we’re leveraging and developing new technology that enables us to better serve our partners.”

Jeremy Lott

President/CEO, SanMar

Technological Advancements

In addition to featuring guided tours, decoration demos, retail brand activations, giveaways and live music, the celebration highlighted the key features of the new facility, including SanMar’s first automated product-picking system (launched earlier this year) and the supplier’s largest showroom.

  • The system includes a fleet of automated units that pick and convey product along a nearly 125,000 square foot grid.

The distribution center increases regional capacity and is designed to expand the company’s East Coast presence as well as strengthen nationwide service. SanMar has been working to bring the facility online since 2022, and it’s now fully operational.

“SanMar’s Richmond facility marks a milestone for technological advancement for the promotional products industry,” says Matt Kuper, vice president of global sales and applications at Bastian Solutions, which facilitated the automation integration. “By leveraging automation at this scale, SanMar is redefining what distribution can look like for the promotional industry – faster, smarter and built for the future.”