Why This Matters to Distributors: Highline Warren’s investment underscores the growing importance of Southeast distribution hubs, where access to ports, transportation infrastructure and major population centers is reshaping network strategies. The project also raises the competitive standard for two-day delivery across the automotive aftermarket and industrial distribution sectors.
Highline Warren will invest $170 million to establish a 1.1 million-square-foot logistics and operations center in McDonough, Georgia, expanding its distribution network and creating 160 jobs in Henry County.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp announced the project Tuesday, saying the facility will occupy the former Zinus building at 830 Highway 42 South. Operations are expected to begin in late 2026, with hiring scheduled to start later this year.
The automotive aftermarket distributor said the new hub will strengthen its East Coast distribution network and enable it to reach 95% of the U.S. population within two days. The facility will incorporate warehouse automation and other advanced logistics technology to improve inventory availability and delivery performance.
“This investment reflects our continued focus on strengthening our network to better serve our customers,” CEO Darcy Curran said. He cited Atlanta’s transportation infrastructure, workforce, and access to East Coast ports as key factors in the company’s expansion.
President and chief operating officer Brad Moreschi said the facility will increase capacity while improving delivery speed, reliability, and operational consistency across Highline Warren’s distribution network.
State officials said the investment reinforces Georgia’s position as a major logistics and manufacturing center.
“Like so many other businesses, Highline Warren recognizes Georgia’s advantages when it comes to affordably producing and efficiently moving products to market,” Kemp said, citing the state’s transportation network, workforce, and access to global markets.
Pat Wilson, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, said the investment strengthens Georgia’s automotive supply chain and reflects the state’s continued ability to attract distribution and manufacturing operations.
Memphis, Tennessee-based Highline Warren distributes and manufactures automotive maintenance products, lubricants, and cleaning chemicals for the automotive, commercial, industrial, and home improvement markets. The company supplies more than 30,000 products under more than 400 brands to more than 10,000 customers across North America through a network of 21 manufacturing and distribution facilities.
Highline Warren was formed in 2020 when Pritzker Private Capital combined Highline Aftermarket with Warren Distribution, a private-label lubricant and automotive chemicals manufacturer founded in 1922.
The McDonough project reflects a broader trend among automotive aftermarket and industrial distributors toward larger, technology-enabled distribution centers in the Southeast. Georgia has become an increasingly attractive location because of its proximity to the Port of Savannah, extensive highway and rail networks, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, and access to fast-growing population centers across the eastern United States.
Highline Warren’s goal of serving 95% of the U.S. population within two days illustrates how national distributors are investing in larger, more automated facilities to improve service levels while reducing transportation costs and inventory complexity. As customer expectations for faster delivery continue to rise, network density and logistics capabilities are becoming increasingly important competitive differentiators for distributors.
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