AWG and Symbotic Partner on Gulf Coast Warehouse Automation

The project aims to strengthen operational efficiency, improve service reliability, and enhance long-term supply chain resilience across AWG's distribution network.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 2:20pm

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a group of polished metal and glass objects arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic background, conceptually representing the advanced warehouse automation technology and supply chain efficiency.Symbotic's AI-powered automation platform promises to streamline AWG's Gulf Coast distribution center, enhancing operational efficiency and supply chain resilience.Pearl River Today

Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc. (AWG) and Symbotic Inc. have announced a strategic agreement to deploy warehouse automation at AWG's Gulf Coast Division Support Center in Pearl River, Louisiana. The project is expected to strengthen operational efficiency, improve service reliability, and enhance long-term supply chain resilience across AWG's distribution network.

Why it matters

AWG's Gulf Coast Division Support Center handles over 22 million cases of dry grocery each year using manual processes. Increasing operational demands, labor retention challenges, rising equipment repair and distribution costs, weather-related disruptions, and capacity limitations have prompted AWG to pursue a more scalable and resilient solution to support continued growth and improve service to the communities its member retailers serve.

The details

To address these challenges, AWG will deploy Symbotic's high-density, end-to-end automation system across approximately 114,000 square feet of the existing facility. Once operational, the automated system is expected to handle nearly 19 million cases annually, improving order accuracy, reducing product damage, increasing operational consistency, and creating additional capacity within the existing footprint.

  • Construction preparation and facility modifications are expected to begin in early 2027.
  • System installation, testing, and integration will follow, with the automated platform anticipated to go live in the fourth quarter of 2027.

The players

Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc. (AWG)

The nation's largest cooperative food wholesaler to independently owned supermarkets, serving approximately 1,100 member companies operating more than 3,500 locations across 33 states from nine wholesale division support centers.

Symbotic Inc.

An automation technology leader focused on the supply chain with its end-to-end, AI-powered robotic and software platform. Symbotic serves the world's largest retail, wholesale, food and beverage, and medical supply distribution companies.

Richard Kearns

AWG's EVP of distribution and logistics.

Brian Alexander

SVP of commercial at Symbotic.

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What they’re saying

“The Symbotic automation solution will directly address supply chain risks by consolidating the majority of our Gulf Coast Division Support Center grocery volume into a highly automated environment. This will reduce labor dependency, damage and repair costs, and create a safer, more resilient operation. Most importantly, it allows us to grow without the expense of building additional space, driving long-term capital savings while protecting service to our members.”

— Richard Kearns, AWG's EVP of distribution and logistics

“We are proud and excited to partner with Associated Wholesale Grocers on this important transformation. AWG's Gulf Coast facility supports independent grocers that are vital to their local communities. Through the implementation of our ultra-high-density AI enabled automation platform, that ecosystem will be powered by a more reliable, efficient and flexible operation that can adapt to changing demand while improving service, safety and resiliency.”

— Brian Alexander, SVP of commercial at Symbotic

What’s next

AWG anticipates the automated platform will go live in the fourth quarter of 2027.

The takeaway

This partnership between AWG and Symbotic aims to modernize AWG's Gulf Coast distribution center with advanced automation, reducing labor dependency, improving operational efficiency and resilience, and enabling future growth without the need for additional physical space. The investment highlights the industry's ongoing shift towards more intelligent, flexible, and sustainable supply chain solutions.