A M King Kicks Off Construction of Cheney Brothers’ Cold Distribution Facility in Florence, SC
A M King, a leading integrated Design-Build firm with offices in Charlotte, NC, Greenville, SC and Chicago, IL, has completed design and commenced construction on its fourth major project for Cheney Brothers, Inc. (CBI). The 386,047-sf refrigerator/freezer distribution facility in Florence, SC will include 45 loading docks, a Cheney Express and the largest culinary kitchen the company has developed to date.
A M King, Cheney Brothers, Inc. and Florence County Economic Development Partnership hosted an official groundbreaking event on December 4, 2024. The day’s festivities included a shovel ceremony, a visit from South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster, and site tours.
“This new distribution center in Florence will allow Cheney Brothers to enhance our customer service and obtain a higher level of customer satisfaction,” said Byron Russell, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Cheney Brothers. “The support we have received from the State of South Carolina and the local communities has been tremendous.”
A M King Business Unit Leader David Sawicki noted, “We’re thrilled to be partnering with Cheney Brothers to develop a facility of this magnitude and complexity. Our history of successful projects for CBI, along with our depth and breadth of food industry expertise, makes this an ideal venture.”
A M King’s scope of work includes 100,963 sf of dry storage and a 36,098-sf dry dock; a 90,095-sf freezer; 60,683 sf of cooler with separate rooms and temperatures for dairy/meat, flour and produce, and a 31,533-sf cooler dock; 30,424 sf of office spaces; a 7,142-sf Cheney Express; and a 3,364-sf test kitchen.
Cheney Brothers’ Florence Facility
Cheney Brothers, Inc., based in Riviera Beach, FL, was founded in 1925. In 2016, the company purchased Pate Dawson Co., thereby acquiring distribution and processing facilities in Statesville, NC and Greensboro, NC. The Florence facility, located on nearly 50 acres in the Pee Dee Commerce City East Industrial Park — across I-95 from Buc-ee’s — will be the company’s first in South Carolina. The new distribution center will provide means for the broadline distributor to significantly expand its reach in the region.
Warren Newell, CBI’s Director of Development, said, “I have worked with dozens of Design-Build and construction firms over the years, and I can honestly say that A M King is one of the finest. There is no doubt they will design and construct a first-class distribution center for us in Florence, which will strengthen our ability to serve Southeast Atlantic coastal customers.”
A M King’s History Serving Cheney Brothers
A M King has completed two major expansions at Cheney Brothers’ Statesville facility, bringing the total square footage to 342,126. The projects included additional cold storage and dry warehouse space, a 2,000-sf commercial culinary center, cutting-edge penthouse refrigeration system, 37 new dock positions and a new receiving office. The complexity of these projects was heightened by the fact that all work was performed in an operational distribution center.
Our Design-Build team also transformed a vacant shell building in Greensboro into a state-of-the-art food processing facility for CBI affiliate Southern Foods. A M King won five prestigious industry awards for the Statesville facility and Southern Foods facility projects from organizations including ABC Carolinas, Controlled Environment Building Association (CEBA) and Engineering News-Record.
About A M King
A M King is an integrated Design-Build firm based in Charlotte, NC with offices in Greenville, SC and Chicago, IL. An employee-owned company, A M King consistently and successfully delivers quality projects throughout the United States. With an experienced team committed to protecting clients’ assets, the firm provides property consulting, design, construction, and facility services in key market sectors including food processing, food distribution, industrial manufacturing, and corporate properties.
About Cheney Brothers, Inc.
Cheney Brothers, Inc. is a broadline food distributor that delivers more than 16,000 different products throughout the Southeast region of United States and in more than 100 countries. Cheney Brothers employs more than 3,800 individuals and reports annual revenues exceeding $3.2 billion.
About Florence County Economic Development Partnership
Florence County Economic Development Partnership serves as the public-private entity that works to recruit new business and industry to Florence County, South Carolina, while also helping existing industries grow and expand.
“We’re thrilled to witness Cheney Brothers break ground on their state-of-the-art distribution center, strategically sited to serve the Carolinas market,” said Florence County Economic Development Partnership Chair Joe W.” Rocky” Pearce. “We look forward to a fruitful partnership and the realization of their $66+ million investment.”
“We are immensely grateful for Cheney Brothers’ trust and investment in Florence County,” added Florence County Council Chairman William Schofield. “We are confident that their presence will reflect the success of the thriving companies already here, creating jobs and making a lasting impact on our community. This partnership marks an exciting chapter in our journey toward growth and prosperity.”
