The Walmart distribution center in Porterville will receive a high-tech makeover, with millions of dollars of investment planned. Walmart photo

Walmart is investing to transform one of its South Valley distribution centers.

Walmart announced Monday that it will spend millions of dollars to upgrade its Porterville Distribution Center into a state-of-the-art facility.

This upgrade is part of Walmart’s broader initiative to renovate all of its 42 regional distribution centers as the company continues to modernize its supply chain network.

The upgrade will nearly double the shipping capacity compared to traditional centers with high-tech automation, and transition manual roles into tech-driven positions with robotics and AI, according to a Walmart news release.

The Porterville Distribution Center serves 114 Walmart locations in the state, with the top items shipped from the facility being water, diapers, televisions and pet items.

General Manger Chad Lee said the distribution center has been a pillar of the community since 1990, and the upgrade will revolutionize the way they distribute.

 

“Adding robotics, automation and AI-powered software systems to this facility will revolutionize an already impressive operation, fundamentally changing the way we distribute products to stores,” said Lee. “This transformation not only represents a significant investment in our facility, but also in our associates, our community and our future.” 

The project will be completed in phases over several years.

Walmart currently operates 17 distribution centers, 304 retail stores and employs more than 103,000 associates in California.

“The Walmart distribution center has long been a major employer and a cornerstone of the economic landscape in Porterville,” said Porterville Mayor Martha A. Flores,. “We deeply appreciate Walmart’s ongoing investment and are enthusiastic about the new technology-driven career opportunities it will bring to our community.” 

In 2018, Walmart announced it would update its Shafter grocery distribution center in Kern County. The system uses technology to process grocery perishables — produce, eggs, dairy, flowers and frozen goods. The result was a 40% increase in distribution volume.

The move resulted in hundreds of new jobs for the Shafter distribution center, according to Walmart.