Hallmark Breaks Ground on New Distribution Center Expansion in Liberty

LIBERTY, Mo. (October 6, 2021) – Hallmark, The Opus Group, City of Liberty and Missouri Department of Economic Development broke ground today on a new 850,000 square foot facility in Liberty, Missouri. This new facility is an expansion of the current Liberty Distribution Center where the 111-year-old Kansas City-based company ships its products across North America.

“This expansion is an incredible milestone for our business, and we are excited about the potential this unlocks for us in the years to come,” said Scott Collignon, Hallmark’s vice president of logistics. “We will create new job opportunities as well as new capabilities to meet the expectations of our customers who continue to shop for our products in-stores and online.”

The new facility will be located less than one mile from the current distribution center and will bring multiple smaller outlying distribution facilities under a two-roof, co-located operation creating a more optimized and efficient distribution network. This will reduce Hallmark’s environmental impact by reducing transportation needs—which will also mean using one million fewer cardboard boxes annually for outbound shipping.

“We’re grateful for the opportunity to partner with Hallmark to deliver this state-of-the-art distribution facility,” said Joe Downs, executive vice president and general manager at Opus. “Hallmark and the City of Liberty have been wonderful to work with throughout this entire process, and we look forward to continuing to work with them through the completion of this building.”

Next year marks the 50^th anniversary of Hallmark’s Liberty Distribution Center and this new expansion will grow the company’s footprint in Liberty by 50 percent. When the new distribution center opens in 2023, Hallmark anticipates more than 1,200 full time employees working between the two facilities and about 150 seasonal part-time employees.

“Liberty has been home to the Hallmark Distribution Center for nearly 50 years. In those five decades, Hallmark has provided thousands of good jobs while making numerous contributions to improve the quality of life in our community.” said Liberty’s Mayor, Lyndell Brenton. “Liberty is becoming a leader in industrial space – including manufacturing, distribution and warehouse facilities – and the elected officials, city staff and Liberty Economic Development Corporation (LEDC) work diligently with our partners in the region to grow the industrial/manufacturing investment and accompanying jobs in Liberty. Retention of long-term business partners, like Hallmark, demonstrates Liberty’s commitment to providing an environment of success that appeals to existing and new investors alike.”

Additionally, the Missouri Department of Economic Development collaborated with project partners to support the community’s growth and economic impact of the project.

“Hallmark’s decision to grow in Missouri is a true testament to our state’s position as a leader in distribution and logistics,” said Governor Mike Parson. “Our strategic location in the center of the United States provides companies like Hallmark with easy access to global markets. We are proud to be the home of Hallmark’s headquarters, and we will continue to provide Missouri businesses with the tools they need to be successful in the state.”