The Coastal Companies Expanding into New State-of-the-Art Distribution and Processing Center

SAVAGE, Md., July 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading Mid-Atlantic produce and dairy supplier The Coastal Companies announces today that it will move into a new 240,000 square foot facility in the first quarter of 2016. The new build-to-suit facility will be located on 33 acres in Laurel, Maryland and will incorporate state-of-the-art design to double existing capacity.  Groundbreaking will occur later this summer. 

The new headquarters is being constructed just 3 miles from the company's current operation to accommodate staff and strengthen The Coastal Companies' leading position in its core market.

"We believe the outlook for our products and services is strong, and we believe there is significant opportunity in our current footprint," states John Corso, President and CEO of The Coastal Companies.  Strategically located between Baltimore and Washington, The Coastal Companies delivers daily to six states and the District of Columbia and serves major retailers along the entire East Coast.

In the last 6 years, Coastal has tripled in size and is expecting to add employees when it moves into its new headquarters.  "We have grown because we take care of our customers, we take care of our people, and we invest in our business," Corso states. "The proximity of our new facility will enable us to retain our people, the lifeblood of our organization, and the facility's scale will give us a set of capabilities unparalleled in our market."

The Coastal Companies traces its roots to 1992 when it was founded as Coastal Sunbelt Produce, a company focused on the foodservice distribution of produce.  In 1996, The Coastal Companies launched East Coast Fresh Cuts, later renamed East Coast Fresh, which has since emerged as a leading processor of fresh-cut fruit and vegetables serving major retailers and broadline distributors along the East Coast.  In 2007, The Coastal Companies acquired and integrated L&M Produce (Jessup, Maryland) into its foodservice operations, bolstering its street sales and dairy distribution capabilities.  Subsequently, the company launched Cold Chain Logistics to support its direct sourcing of local and organic products and Cold Chain Imports to direct source produce from around the world.  In 2014, The Coastal Companies launched The Coastal Companies Foundation with a mission of "Nourishing Our Community," further structuring the company's long history of giving.

Corso states the rapid growth of the 22 year old company has not and will not change its commitment to service.  "No matter how large we become, our heart has been and will remain that of a small company – personable, passionate, committed to our customers' success.  Our new infrastructure will further enhance our offerings, drive efficiency, and create significant value for our customers."

The company is guided by its core principles:  safety and compliance, service, growth, profitability and community. 

"Our mission is to be the Mid-Atlantic Supplier of Choice for Produce and Dairy," Corso says. "Our new state-of-the-art facility will continue to provide growth opportunity for our people and will enable us to achieve our mission."

About The Coastal Companies
Founded in 1992, The Coastal Companies has emerged as a major distributor of fresh produce and dairy and as a leading regional processor of fruits and vegetables. Based in Baltimore/Washington, The Coastal Companies and its subsidiaries, Coastal Sunbelt Produce, East Coast Fresh, Cold Chain Logistics and Cold Chain Imports, operate a fleet of 175 trucks and deliver daily to foodservice customers across six states and the District of Columbia.  The company also serves major retail customers along the East Coast.   The Coastal Companies launched Cold Chain Logistics in 2012 and Cold Chain Imports in 2014 as standalone subsidiaries to further enhance The Coastal Companies' direct sourcing capabilities.  In 2014, The Coastal Companies Foundation was formed to further structure The Coastal Companies' history of giving.  With a commitment to food safety, quality, service, sustainability, and staff development, The Coastal Companies has established itself as an industry leader.  Please visit our subsidiaries' websites www.coastalsunbelt.com and www.eastcoastfresh.com to learn more.

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Chryssa Zizos
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SOURCE The Coastal Companies