Driscoll Foods, a family-owned food distributor, has announced its move from its current Clifton, New Jersey facility to a significantly larger warehouse in Wayne, NJ. This strategic relocation, approved by the Wayne Township Planning Board, marks a major expansion for the company, driven by its need to accommodate growing operations and a larger workforce. After outgrowing its 217,139-square-foot facility in Clifton, Driscoll Foods sought a location that could support its ambitious growth plans. The approved site in Wayne, the former headquarters of Bayer AG, will allow Driscoll Foods to nearly double its operational footprint.
The project, given the green light by the Planning Board on Monday, involves the construction of a sprawling 396,401-square-foot warehouse. This new facility will replace a portion of the existing office space on the Wayne property. Alongside the warehouse development, plans include the addition of two two-story office buildings, totaling 12,624 square feet. To optimize logistics, the site plan incorporates new traffic flow patterns, including abandoning an existing driveway and creating two dedicated driveways exclusively for truck access. This is crucial as the Wayne facility will serve as a central hub for receiving, storing, and distributing Driscoll Foods’ extensive product range.
Tim Driscoll, president of Driscoll Foods, highlighted the significant impact of this move on the company’s workforce. Speaking at the board meeting, Driscoll stated that the expansion would enable the company to increase its employee count from the current 450 to an estimated 800 within the next five years. This job creation is a welcome boost to the local economy and underscores Driscoll Foods’ commitment to growth and community investment.
Established in 1971, Driscoll Foods has become a key player in food distribution, serving a diverse clientele within a 120-mile radius of Clifton. Their product range includes meats, poultry, dairy, groceries, cleaning supplies, and paper products, catering to restaurants, food service providers, correctional facilities, and country clubs. The Wayne facility will enhance their ability to efficiently manage and distribute these goods. Engineers at the meeting explained the logistics plan, detailing that over 100 trucks are expected to utilize the loading docks daily, strategically positioned facing Westbelt Road to minimize disruption to residential areas along Barnsdale Road. The site will also feature parking for 609 vehicles, accommodating the expanded workforce and operational demands.
[Placeholder for image 1: Image of Driscoll Foods trucks at a loading dock]
Environmental considerations and community integration were also key aspects of the Planning Board’s review. The project includes provisions for tree preservation and planting to maintain green spaces. Furthermore, measures to mitigate noise and light pollution for nearby residences were discussed and incorporated into the plans, including the construction of sound-retaining walls.
Mayor Chris Vergano expressed his appreciation for Driscoll Foods’ commitment to the community, particularly their decision to preserve McCoog Park, located on the northern edge of the property. Named in honor of firefighter Glenn E. McCoog, the park with its soccer field, playground, and basketball court holds significant community value. Driscoll Foods’ pledge to maintain this public space further solidifies their positive community engagement. With the site plan approved, Driscoll Foods is now focused on securing environmental permits and other necessary approvals. The company anticipates that employees could begin moving into the new Wayne facility as early as April 2016, marking a new chapter of growth and expanded capabilities for Driscoll Foods, while maintaining its roots in the Clifton area through its service region.
