Amazon opens Smithfield facility with plans to hire 1k

SMITHFIELD, N.C. (WNCN) — Amazon’s newest distribution center is expected to have a significant impact in Johnston County.

“This is this is tremendous for Smithfield. We have been waiting for it for several years,” Smithfield Mayor Andy Moore told CBS 17.

Spanning more than 620,000 square feet, Amazon’s new distribution center will do more than just take up space in town. Mayor Moore is excited for 1,000 people the company plans to employ to run operations at the facility.

“I think it’s beyond words, right but they have already exceeded their expectations. They initially told us about 500 people,” Moore said.

Those 1,000 people will work along side robots and automated systems to fulfill orders within minutes. With a facility the size of 11 football fields, Amazon expects 1 million items to be sorted in Smithfield every day. On Prime Day, they expect that to more than double.

Two months into opening, General Manager Eric Arnold says they’re only running at about half their capacity. More shipments will move through as more people are hired.

“We’ve gotten busier about 10% to 15% volume [increase] every week. We will just continue to ramp up until we get to that full capacity,” Arnold said.

Starting pay is $17 with benefits on day one. The company also offers a college tuition program even for those who do not plan to purse a further career with Amazon.

“The labor market has been tremendous here. We’ve had an amazing turnout and we are on track and we have several weeks of hiring still ahead of us,” said Arnold.

The online retailer is not just spurring interest from potential employees but also from other businesses.

“Not only businesses, but we have housing development centers that are springing up just right across the street. You can see the construction that’s already broken ground on a massive residential neighborhood,” Moore said.

The online shopping platform is expected to be among the city’s top employers and taxpayers when it gets to full operations.

This is the company’s second facility of its kind in the state.

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