Why This Matters to Distributors: Large-scale distribution center investments continue as distributors and suppliers seek to consolidate operations, improve inventory flow and increase network efficiency. Hillman’s new facility will centralize multiple operations while creating capacity for future expansion.
Hillman Solutions Corp. has broken ground on a 715,000-square-foot distribution and operations facility in Forest Park, Ohio, redeveloping the former Forest Fair Mall site into a logistics hub that will support the company’s North American operations.
The Cincinnati area company will be the sole tenant of the facility, which is being developed by Hillwood Investment Properties. The project includes distribution center space, offices, and operational support functions, along with a 162,000-square-foot expansion pad for future growth.
Hillman said the facility will consolidate several operations currently spread across the Cincinnati region into a single location. The company expects the move to improve operational efficiency, strengthen collaboration among teams and enhance service capabilities for customers throughout North America.
“This facility will help position our business for future growth while supporting the people and partnerships that continue to drive our success,” says CEO Jon Michael Adinolfi.
The project represents one of the largest industrial redevelopments in the Cincinnati area and will transform a site that has remained vacant since the closure of Forest Fair Mall.
Economic development officials said the facility reinforces Hillman’s long-term commitment to the region while bringing new industrial activity to a property that has been underutilized for years.
JobsOhio President and Chief Executive Officer J.P. Nauseef said the facility will enable Hillman to consolidate operations into a single location and improve the movement of products throughout its North American distribution network.
Founded in 1964 and headquartered in Cincinnati, Hillman supplies hardware products, merchandising services and inventory management solutions to retail, professional distribution and industrial maintenance, repair, and operations customers. The company offers more than 111,000 SKUs, including fasteners, builder’s hardware, work gear, safety products, and key duplication services.
Hillman serves many of North America’s largest home improvement, hardware and farm-and-fleet retailers through a direct-to-store distribution model supported by a field sales organization of more than 1,200 associates.
The development was supported by the City of Forest Park, the Butler County Land Bank, the Ohio Department of Development, JobsOhio and REDI Cincinnati.
The project reflects a broader trend among distributors and suppliers toward larger, centralized facilities designed to improve inventory management, streamline transportation, and create room for future automation and growth.
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