Many years of hard work came to fruition this summer when Mitsui-Soko (U.S.A.) broke ground on its first Northwest facility in Frederickson, one of Pierce County’s industrial hubs.

Mitsui-Soko, a company headquartered in Japan, has more than 100 years of experience in warehousing and logistics. Its Frederickson facility is specifically engineered to meet the unique and exacting requirements of the aerospace industry, featuring 200,000 square feet of both refrigerated and ambient-temperature warehouse space on 12.7 acres.

“Mitsui-Soko (U.S.A) is a great addition to the aerospace family in Pierce County, which now numbers more than 70 firms employing thousands of our neighbors in good jobs with good benefits,” said EDB President and CEO Bruce Kendall.

The company’s site search began in July 2013, when the EDB was asked for area information and to help identify potential sites for their project. The search quickly narrowed to the Frederickson area of Pierce County with its many appealing choices for industrial operations and the family-wage jobs they provide.

Mitsui-Soko’s final choice was a site in Frederickson, strategically located to support just-in-time distribution services. The new facility will employ about 30 people when it opens a little over a year from now. The operation offers maximum flexibility and the secure storage of product in a precisely controlled environment.

The Economic Development Department and the permitting team at Pierce County’s Planning and Land Services (PALS) worked conscientiously to expedite permit review and get the construction off to a smooth start. The EDB is proud to have worked with Mitsui-Soko and its general contractor, Gray Construction, as Mitsui-Soko carefully chose its next strategic location.

“I congratulate Mitsui-Soko for their decision to invest in Pierce County,” said Pat McCarthy, Pierce County Executive. “From the very first meeting, this project was off to a great start with successful teamwork between company representatives, designers, project managers and our permitting folks.”