Lead photo: Representatives of ACR celebrate the grand opening of its new Stockton, CA distribution center during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 17. (ACR photo)

Food service essentials provider ACR has opened a new 506,000-square-foot distribution center in Stockton, CA — expanding its West Coast fulfillment capacity.

The company said June 18 that the facility is its fifth distribution location and is designed to support future growth, volume expansion and improved customer service in key West Coast markets. The Stockton DC is intended to help ACR reduce transit times, manage freight costs and improve inventory positioning for customers across the region.

The facility is expected to create approximately 35 new jobs in Stockton. ACR marked the opening with a June 17 ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by company leaders, employees, customers and vendors, along with operational demonstrations.

“Opening Stockton is one of the most tangible commitments we have made to our West Coast customers and to the communities we serve,” ACR Chief Operating Officer Brett Barnello said in the announcement. “This facility gives our team the tools to deliver the right product, to the right place, at the right time.”

The company said the Stockton DC features a scalable operating model built around standardized processes, safety culture and technology-enabled execution.

ACR, formerly AmerCareRoyal, provides foodservice essentials and packaging solutions for restaurants, distributors and other customers.