The Durant Industrial Authority and Economic Development Council both focused this month’s regular meetings around a new distribution center that is to be placed in Durant in January.
The City of Durant has been working with The Tile Shop for approximately four months to bring in the store’s distribution and manufacturing center.
“It’s been a fast-paced four months getting this project together,” said Economic Development Council Executive Director Tommy Kramer.
The center will be located in the existing Hale Halsell Facility on West Arkansas Street.
The distribution center will occupy the 150,000 square-foot facility and a new 35,000 square-foot manufacturing facility will be created.
The distribution center will contain products for the chain such as tile and stone that are sold in the stores.
The manufacturing facility will create products such as adhesives, grout and sealants to accompany the tile and stone.
The center in Durant will create approximately 20 jobs in the first year and 60 jobs in the next three years. Kinder said that management positions will be filled by moving Durant employees up to the positions.
This facility will cater to eight existing stores in the chain once it is opened. The chain also plans to open additional stores in locations such as Dallas, Texas, and Denver, Colorado.
In three years, the center is planned to be servicing more than 30 stores in the chain. According to Joe Kinder from The Tile Shop, the Minnesota-based company has aspirations to become the first nationwide tile company.
The Tile Shop is a 27-year-old company that has stores in more than 20 states. The company imports specially designed tiles from several countries and has four private brands, including Superior Adhesives and Chemicals and Fired Earth Ceramics.
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