"This new PDC is an important part of SPO's strategy to provide world-class service to GM dealers by realigning the distribution network with less automated facilities," says Charlie Hyndman, SPO director of Warehousing and Distribution for U.S. Operations. "These facilities feature lean and common processes that achieve significant improvements in competitiveness."

The new facility will handle automotive replacement part shipments to more than 225 GM dealerships in approximately 12 states. ProLogis will develop the new PDC. Construction already has begun.

Hyndman says that several factors influenced the decision to locate the new facility in the metro area. "The cooperative work between the leadership of UAW Local 431 and Denver PDC management helped develop GM's business case with local, state and federal agencies," he says "We're also very sensitive to the impact on employees, their families and the community whenever we implement new business strategies to improve service to GM dealers."

Tay Culbert, GM Manager of Forward Planning, says they were impressed with the city of Aurora and the development strength of ProLogis.

"In making our decision, we factored in a highly qualified labor market, quality of life issues, transportation factors and, in the end, ProLogis and the city of Aurora provided us with an image and an environment that exceeded our expectations," he says.

Aurora Economic Development Council President Wendy Mitchell said the project is a real win for the community. "This is a ground breaking development in many respects," Mitchell says. "To have this type of project and this caliber of company select Aurora as a regional hub speaks volumes for the cooperation of all parties involved and for the reputation the city has earned, based upon its infrastructure and diversification of its business and housing markets."

The park's location provides convenient interstate access to reach the Central United States, including the Rocky Mountain and plain-states. ProLogis plans to develop more than 2.9 million sf of distribution space including the GM facility.

"We are excited to kick-off ProLogis Park 70 with the facility for GM. Having worked with them on several projects throughout North America, we are confident we can provide them with superior design and development services," says John Seiple, president and COO for ProLogis North America. "A customer of GM's caliber will set the tone for the type of companies this new distribution center is sure to attract." GM SPO has opened several new PDCs around the country since 1999 - Chicago; Philadelphia; in the Fort Worth, Texas area; Cincinnati; Columbus, Ohio; Los Angeles (two), and Memphis, Tennessee.

They also partnered with ProLogis in Charlotte, North Carolina; Jackson, Mississippi; and Martinsburg, West Virginia; to erect new PDC's. Construction of a new facility in the Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., area has been completed and is fully operational. November marked the ground breaking for a new PDC in Reno, also developed by ProLogis, which is expected to be shipping to customers in the spring.