Photo courtesy of Ralco Ralco’s new distribution center near Highway 23 in Marshall consolidate two of the company’s facilities into one.

MARSHALL — Ralco is still growing in Marshall — and the company’s latest expansion will help improve efficiency for trucks carrying Ralco products.

On Tuesday, Ralco owners and employees gathered to cut the ribbon on a new 37,500-square-foot distribution center.

The new building, located along Highway 23 in Marshall, has more space and loading docks for trucks than Ralco’s former distribution center on Lake Road, Ralco spokespeople said. It also helps consolidate two Ralco facilities in one. The new construction brings the distribution center together with the existing Ralco East Complex along Highway 23.

“While the locations don’t seem far apart, Ralco trucks transfer 10-20 loads per day between Ralco’s East Complex and the old distribution center on Lake Road,” said Ralco logistics manager Dave Einerson. “The elimination of those loads will save us valuable time and make us more efficient for our customers.”

The new distribution center has a total of six loading docks, compared to four loading docks at the old facility, Ralco spokespeople said. The new center will also be able to hold 100 truckloads’ worth of Ralco products, where the Lake Road distribution center only had space for 80 truckloads.

“The additional loading space will make us much less congested during peak loading and unloading times,” Einerson said. “Even better, trucks can get loaded and drive directly onto Highway 23 to start their transit.”

The completion of the new distribution center comes in a milestone year for Ralco. The company not only celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2021, but announced new expansions in Marshall.

In May, the company broke ground for a new research farm just north of the city. In June the Knochenmus family, owners of Ralco, also announced they were buying the Landmark Mercantile and New Atlantic Hotel buildings on Main Street. Ralco plans to turn the upper levels of the buildings into a new corporate office.

“If you think about it, Ralco’s first distribution center was my grandpa Bob’s two-stall garage on Second and James streets in Marshall and now we’ve grown to 37,500 square feet,” said Ralco President and CEO Brian Knochenmus. “The recent groundbreakings and spaces we’re creating for our people to work and innovate will help expand natural solutions for our customers for the next 50 years.”