Hormel Foods, DHL celebrate opening of new Southaven Distribution Center
Photo: With local officials standing by, Hormel vice president Jen Ehresmann cuts the ribbon to officially open the new distribution center in the former AWG warehouse in Southaven. (Bob Bakken/desotocountynews.com)
SOUTHAVEN, Miss. — A vacant facility that once housed the Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG) distribution center has been reborn with the official ribbon cutting of the new Hormel Foods Distribution Center, operated in partnership with DHL Supply Chain.
Local officials, corporate executives, and community leaders gathered Wednesday to mark the occasion, celebrating both a major economic investment and the return of hundreds of jobs to one of Southaven’s most important industrial properties.
A Partnership Built on Innovation and Growth
The new distribution center represents a major expansion of Hormel’s refrigerated supply chain operations, serving retail customers from New Mexico to Florida and up through Virginia. The 715,000-square-foot facility will handle both cold and dry storage and is already operational following a soft opening over the summer.
“This isn’t just a distribution center—it’s a hub of innovation,” said Jeffrey Bennett, Senior Director of Operations for DHL Supply Chain. “This site marks a significant milestone in a partnership that began nearly 30 years ago. We’re proud to bring 125 new jobs to the region while continuing to deliver operational excellence.”
Transforming a Landmark Site
The property was purchased in 2021 by The Mandich Group, which invested more than $15 million to upgrade and retrofit the facility after AWG relocated to Hernando. The redevelopment includes extensive interior renovations and new offices designed to meet modern logistics standards.
“When AWG moved out, there was a real concern about what would come next,” said Michael Mandich, Managing Partner of The Mandich Group. “Our goal was to attract a world-class company, and Hormel Foods was the perfect fit. This investment helps bring back high-quality jobs and revitalizes an important part of Southaven’s economy.”
Local Leaders Welcome Economic Renewal
Southaven Mayor Darren Musselwhite called the project a “perfect fit” for the city’s industrial corridor, praising the collaboration among Hormel, DHL, and local economic development agencies.
“This facility has a long history of feeding families—not just through the food it distributed, but because it provided a living for so many of our residents,” Musselwhite said. “Seeing it alive again, with a company like Hormel and DHL involved, is a huge win for our community.”
DeSoto County Supervisor Ray Denison echoed those sentiments, urging the companies to continue hiring local residents. “We’re grateful for the confidence you’ve shown by investing here,” Denison said. “This project shows that DeSoto County continues to be a great place to live and work.”
A Symbol of Collaboration
Hormel Vice President of Supply Chain Jen Ehresmann said the Southaven site is part of a broader strategy to optimize distribution efficiency and improve customer service. “By locating here, we’re closer to our customers, which means better service and greater transportation efficiency,” she said.
The project also carries symbolic weight. During the ceremony, Hormel’s Refrigerated Network Optimization Project Lead Max Faust shared that the initiative’s internal motto was “Be the duck”—stay calm above water and work hard beneath the surface—a fitting metaphor for the teamwork that made the project possible.
The new Hormel facility joins a growing list of logistics and manufacturing investments that continue to make DeSoto County one of Mississippi’s fastest-growing industrial hubs.
