By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY
Salina Post
Wednesday morning's grand opening and ribbon-cutting at the new Miller's of Claflin/Ashley Distribution Center in south Salina was a somewhat bittersweet celebration for members of the Miller family.
One of the family leaders, William J. "Bill" Miller, was not at the celebration. Miller, 63, died in January after a nearly three-year battle with cancer. The distribution center was dedicated in his name. A plaque revealed at the ribbon-cutting is inscribed with the following.
William J. Miller Distribution Center
In honor and recognition of our outstanding leader and friend. You are greatly missed. "There's customers out there, somebody go sell something!"
The new distribution center at 2610 Yost Drive contains nearly 100,000 square feet of rack space, according to information from Miller's of Claflin/Ashley HomeStores on the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce website.
"We will be the only true stocking dealer in central Kansas and one of the few in the state. What this means is the customer will be able to pick up their product or have it delivered that same day," the company noted on the chamber website.
Additionally, the Miller's of Claflin/Ashley HomeStores' service department also is a component of the new facility.
"With the technology we incorporated in the facility along with the layout and equipment, it will allow us to minimize product damage and limit mistakes. By stocking more parts for our product, any issues that customers may have will be addressed right away in most cases instead of waiting for the parts to arrive," the company noted.
The space in the new facility also allows the company to buy in larger quantities, thus enabling them to pass its savings on to customers.
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Wondering where 2610 Yost Drive is? The distribution facility sits just south of W. Water Well Road, a bit north of the Salina Police Department's Regional Training Facility.