Kansas City, MO – December 17, 2020 – To better serve its customers and speed up delivery of its world-class health and wellness products, Melaleuca announced plans today to open a 508,000-square-foot distribution center and warehouse at 11401 N. Congress Avenue in the Northland area of Kansas City, Missouri.
As a manufacturer and online retailer of over 450 exclusive health and wellness products, Melaleuca will invest at least $35.5 million into the facility and create more than 200 jobs within its first year of operation. Melaleuca expects the facility to be ready in early 2022 after completing an extensive retrofit of the plant formerly owned by Harley-Davidson.
Since it was founded in September 1985, Melaleuca has grown into one of America’s largest online retailers, offering wellness products in the categories of nutrition, personal care, home cleaning and cosmetics. Much like Amazon, Melaleuca customers order online, and products are shipped directly to the customer’s home. Melaleuca formulas rely on scientific research to identify and amplify the benefits of naturally based ingredients, while bringing proprietary products to market that are free from harmful toxins and chemicals that negatively impact consumers and the environment. Recently, the company was ranked by Forbes magazine as one of America’s best employers.
“Our products are being enthusiastically embraced throughout the world,” Melaleuca CEO Frank VanderSloot said. “Although Melaleuca has experienced periods of explosive growth over the years, consumers are flocking to Melaleuca now more than ever because they are concerned about their family’s overall health. They are searching for effective, safe, natural health and wellness products, which is Melaleuca’s specialty. When it comes to their health, people don’t want to take shortcuts, and they are relying on Melaleuca’s superior product line to enjoy healthier, more vibrant lives.”
“We are proud to welcome Melaleuca to Missouri,” said Governor Mike Parson. “The company’s creation of over 200 jobs is great for our state, and its dedication to health and wellness in a time when our citizens need it most is to be commended. We look forward to seeing Melaleuca grow and succeed moving forward.”
Melaleuca anticipates this new distribution center will not only speed up online delivery for customers throughout the Midwest, but also enable faster e-commerce shipping across the country.
In combination with its state-of-the-art distribution centers in Idaho Falls and Tennessee, Melaleuca is creating a logistics network so its products can reach the majority of its U.S.-based customers within two days of ordering.
“Melaleuca is thrilled to expand into Kansas City for several reasons,” VanderSloot said. “It has a business-friendly environment; a well-educated, hard-working and talented workforce; advanced manufacturing industry expertise; and a strategic position in the center of the country. This Kansas City plant complements the 1.3 million square feet of space that Melaleuca currently operates. With this exciting new facility, our products will reach our customers’ doorsteps faster than ever.”
“Melaleuca’s expansion into Kansas City, Missouri is significant for our community, and the new jobs created will help more Kansas Citians prosper through these challenging economic times,” said T’Risa McCord, interim President CEO of the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, Missouri. “I’d like to thank the company’s leadership for not only their investment in our great City, but also their commitment to a purpose focused on health and wellness.”
The Kansas City Area Development Council was proud to work with a number of regional partners in attracting Melaleuca, Inc., to Kansas City, including the State of Missouri, Missouri Partnership, City of Kansas City, Missouri, Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, Missouri, Platte County Economic Development Council, Cushman & Wakefield - Whitney Kerr Jr. and Alec Blackwell, Olsson, Evergy, Spire Energy and KC SmartPort.
“We’ve been impressed by the warm reception that many Kansas City leaders have shown, and we’re looking forward to integrating into this community and doing our part to enhance this remarkable city,” VanderSloot added.
In early 2021, Melaleuca plans to hire plant administration and other leadership as the facility is being renovated. Candidates will be able to apply at MelaleucaJobs.com.
“In the last 12 months, companies including Melaleuca, Inc. have selected the KC region to create more than $1 billion in capital investment and over 3,700 jobs,” said Tim Cowden, president and CEO of the Kansas City Area Development Council. “The KC SmartPort team continues to position Kansas City’s advantages as a logistics hub including our region’s location, available workforce, community benefits and vertical readiness.”
About Melaleuca
Based in Idaho Falls, Idaho, Melaleuca is a privately held health and wellness product manufacturer that produces and sells more than 450 exclusive wellness products for two million households in 19 countries who shop with the company each month. Generating $2 billion in annual revenue with over 5,200 employees around the world, Melaleuca is one of the largest online retailers in North America and the largest manufacturer of consumer-packaged goods in the Northwest United States. Visit Melaleuca.com for more information.
About KC SmartPort
KC SmartPort is the authority on logistics opportunities in the 18-county, two-state Kansas City region. A nonprofit economic development organization, KC SmartPort promotes and enhances the Kansas City region’s status as a leading North American logistics hub. KC SmartPort is affiliated with the Kansas City Area Development Council, the regional economic development organization for the 18-county Kansas City metro.