Amazon’s giant 800,000 square-foot fulfillment center in Kent, WA. is open for business. The location, which Amazon plans to fill with over 1,200 new employees, shipped its first item, a swaddling blanket for a Beaverton, Ore. customer, today.
The facility is Amazon’s third fulfillment center in western Washington, all of which use advanced robotics alongside human employees.
The company is expanding its fulfillment centers and delivery options beyond its Washington backyard.
Amazon is reportedly opening a facility in Berlin to bring Prime two-hour delivery to Germany. Earlier this month, Amazon confirmed plans to lease 20 freighter jets, signaling an expansion of its delivery network.
Over 100 Amazon fulfillment centers are operating worldwide, with a little over half in North America.
Amazon employees at the Kent facility will focus on smaller customer orders, such as electronic devices, toys, and books. The company gave Kent city officials a tour of the fulfillment center before its grand opening.
The e-commerce giant also announced a $5,000 donation toward an after-school robotics and engineering program at nearby Neely-Obrien elementary.
