United Warehouse Co. will break ground on a $5 million, 200,000 square-foot distribution center beginning next week. The new center, the companies fourth in Wichita, will be located at 901 E. 45th Street North, near the intersection of 45th and Old Lawrence Road. Once completed, the building will serve as the corporate offices for the 86-year-old family business owned by Charlie Schaefer. The company employs about 72 and operates distribution centers in Tulsa, OK and Lenexa, KS.

United Warehouse is a third party warehouse and distributor. Its facilities serve as storage sites for client companies’ products and as shipping and receiving centers. Mike Schaefer is in charge of new construction for United Warehouse. He says the new center will provide the extra room the company has needed. “From what we’ve seen there’s a demand for distribution space – plus it will be something we can call home,” says Schaefer, who is the nephew of the company’s owner. “And with 32-foot clear ceilings, we can put a lot more in the building.” Plans call for a second company-owned building to be constructed in Tulsa in the next 18 months.

United Warehouse was founded in 1915. It began as a grocery warehouse operator, serving the Associated Grocers, Fleming Co. and Dillon Cos. In the late 1950’s the company was purchased by the Schaefer family. According to Brett Schaefer, United Warehouse General Manager, its client base has expanded to include Fortune 100 to 500 companies as well as smaller, local firms.