MSI to Build East Coast Distribution Hub in Virginia
RICHMOND, Va. – M S International Inc. (MSI) will construct a new 548,000 ft² distribution hub in southeast Virginia in the Hampton Roads port area, said Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin (R) yesterday.
MSI will invest $61.6 million to establish its East Coast distribution facility in Suffolk, Va., near the Port of Virginia harbor complex, and ultimately create up to 80 new jobs.
“Virginia is one of North America’s premier supply chain destinations, and we are excited to welcome M S International’s East Coast Distribution facility to the Commonwealth,” Youngkin said. “MSI will benefit from Suffolk’s prime location and proximity to our world-class port facilities, and we look forward to their success in the Hampton Roads region.”
MSI imports more than 70,000 containers per year and manages an inventory of more than 300 million ft², including hundreds of thousands of slabs of natural stone and quartz. MSI has over 3,000 employees worldwide, including more than 60 in Virginia.
McDonald Development of Atlanta will construct a new building at 2821 Holland Road in Suffolk for MSI.
Virginia competed with Georgia, New Jersey, and South Carolina for the project.
“MSI is very excited with this huge expansion of our distribution footprint in Virginia,” said Rup Shah, MSI president. “This new hub distribution center will dramatically improve our long-term distribution capabilities across the Mid-Atlantic and Mid-West.
“In addition, we are very impressed with The Port of Virginia and its continued investments to insure a smooth flow of goods. Finally, both the high-quality workforce in the region combined with a very business-friendly environment were both major contributing factors to our decision.”
“We applaud M S International’s decision to build its East Coast distribution center in Suffolk, Virginia and capitalize on the access to global markets offered by The Port of Virginia,” said Stephen A. Edwards, CEO and Executive Director of the Virginia Port Authority. “MSI is going to be a significant importer and the investments we’re making in our terminals will help to ensure that MSI can grow its volumes without concern. We welcome MSI and are looking forward to a long partnership.”
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Suffolk to secure the project for Virginia. Youngkin approved a $225,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to assist the city with the project.
The company is also eligible to receive benefits from the Port of Virginia Economic and Infrastructure Development Zone Grant Program. Funding and services to support the company’s employee training activities will be provided through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.
Founded in 1975 and headquartered in Orange, Calif., MSI maintains over 40 showrooms and distribution centers across the U.S. and Canada, with domestic manufacturing facilities for Q™ Premium Natural Quartz in Latta, S.C., and Premium LVT in Cartersville, Ga.
MSI’s product assortment includes an extensive offering of quartz, LVT, tile, natural stone, and glass products imported from over 37 countries on six continents.
