By Joyce F. Nowell jnowell@herald-mail.com

GREENCASTLE, Pa. — Two years after a large trucking firm announced it would build an integrated logistics center in Antrim Township, A. Duie Pyle opened the doors on the more than 250,000-square-foot facility Tuesday with plans to grow already in the works.

“The expansion of our operations in the Hagerstown area will lead to the creation of new jobs and gives our loyal customers in the region a more comprehensive experience,” John Luciani, COO of LTL Solutions at A. Duie Pyle, said in a company news release.

The facility is at at 12248 Molly Pitcher Highway, south of Greencastle, between Interstate 81 and U.S. 11.

The West Chester, Pa.-based company said another 100,000-square-foot facility at the 35-acre location is in the development stage. This is the third integrated service center for A. Duie Pyle, according to the release.

Officials said the development is expanding the company’s Northeast regional presence and providing customers with a higher level of service, including the ability to regionalize supply chain networks.

In addition to warehouse and office space, the new 266,585-square-foot facility includes an 81-door dock, a 10-bay full-service fleet maintenance center and automatic truck wash.

“This state-of-the-art facility will allow us to provide a complete range of integrated transportation, warehousing and distribution services, while also improving customer service, controlling costs and streamlining Pyle’s operations,” said Luciani.

“Offering these enhanced services is more important than ever before, as more people are relying on the expedited delivery of their goods.”

According to the news release, Pyle is seeking approval for the additional warehouse space to meet rising shipping surges and e-commerce demand amid COVID-19.

When plans for the center were announced in the summer of 2018, Pyle leased a facility at 16125 Business Parkway, off Md. 63, west of Hagerstown, employing 25 people. Last fall the company leased additional warehouse space at 398 Antrim Commons Drive with plans for 20 more workers.

Officials have said the company expects to employ 150 to 200 people at the Greencastle center.

The center will provide customers in the region with same- and next-day distribution, assembly and value-added project capabilities, final-mile delivery options, improved shipping integrity, extended cut times, consolidation and de-consolidation, and complete integration of Pyle’s services, the release said.

“Antrim Township has seen significant economic growth in the last few years, particularly in the area of logistics,” said Brad Graham, Antrim Township administrator. “We are excited that A. Duie Pyle decided to locate a brand new terminal here.

“If their terrific site development team is an example of the rest of the organization, then we look forward to working with them for a long time. They are well-known in the marketplace and built a great facility.”

With proximity to the I-81 and I-70 corridors as well as nearby rail yards, Pyle officials said the center offers quick and easy access to all major Northeast and Mid-Atlantic metropolitan areas and more direct service to Virginia and West Virginia. The company expects lower travel times and additional capacity and storage space for its customer base.