Quetico, LLC ( kwe-ti-koh) closed Friday on about 39 acres of land at the northeast corner of 143rd Avenue and Yuma Road. The company is partnering with The Fullmer Company, LP to build a 719,520–square-foot industrial logistics building comprised of warehouse and office space with a capital investment of more than $45 million. Quetico plans to be operational by fall 2020 and will create approximately 300 new jobs.
“We are so excited that Quetico chose Goodyear to expand and relocate its California operation,” said Mayor Georgia Lord. “Quality companies like Quetico, who choose to make their home in Goodyear, help us to build a stronger community. Their confidence in our city not only means more jobs for our residents and the West Valley, it also translates into additional revenue to support our schools, recreational amenities, public safety and improve our infrastructure.”
Founded in 1994, Quetico has created a highly specialized and proprietary wholesale and inventory management niche within the logistics industry. The company provides specialized wholesale, inventory management, and third-party logistics services of consumer products (mainly apparel and soft goods) to big-box retailers and brand name manufacturers in North America and abroad. In addition, Quetico has smaller facilities in Canada, Mexico and Panama.
“We looked at many other markets during our search to move and expand our operations,” said Tom Fenchel, CEO of Quetico Logistics. “Goodyear just made sense. The location is near the Phoenix–Goodyear Airport and major interstates with coast-to-coast connectivity. The site has Foreign Trade Zone possibilities which, combined with the competitive cost of doing business in Arizona, made our decision easy.”
James Fullmer, Managing Member of The Fullmer Company stated, “I’m happy to be back in Goodyear and amazed at the remarkable growth in this city over the last four decades. The city leaders have done an excellent job working with developers and real estate professionals to plan the city’s current and future economic base. Building relationships with clients has been the key to our success and we look forward to a great partnership with Quetico and the city of Goodyear.”
Quetico will keep a small location in Chino, California, which will help retain key employees that are unable to move to Goodyear. This will also allow the company to continue to support its collaborative efforts with AbilityFirst, who promotes opportunities for individuals with disabilities. “Quetico is proud of its partnership with AbilityFirst and, over the last decade, has become the largest private provider of job opportunities to AbilityFirst participants. Our AbilityFirst workers are among our favorite employees. They are so happy and appreciative to have a job,” said Fenchel. “This group of people will always be a part of the Quetico family, and we get personal satisfaction knowing we not only give them employment, we are giving them an opportunity to have a place to come every day to feel important about themselves.”
The management team has not only found value in improving lives for people with disabilities, but it has also help to build a positive work culture, while encouraging teamwork and building long-lasting friendships. The company hopes to develop a similar partnership and program in the new Goodyear location.
The city of Goodyear, Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC), Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA), and Arizona@Work will also work in partnership to assist Quetico in hiring the workforce to support its Goodyear location.
Goodyear, Arizona continues to put its name on the map with announcements of award-winning companies choosing to locate within the city. Quetico joins the list of best-in-class companies including UPS, Michael Lewis Company, Chewy and Amazon who already call Goodyear home.
