Phone 
Crayola inks deal to lease a new 800,000 square-foot distribution center in the Majestic Bethlehem Center. Crayola intends on moving in beginning spring 2013.
Crayola ~ the maker of world famous crayons, markers and other creative art products ~ will lease and operate a new centralized distribution center in Bethlehem for worldwide shipment of Crayola products, beginning spring 2013.
The 800,000 square-foot distribution center, to be constructed near I-78 and Rte. 412 in the Majestic Bethlehem Center, will consolidate the company’s current warehouse operations in Harrisburg and the Lehigh Valley. The leases for those facilities expire early next year.
Between 60 and 80 will be employed at the distribution center. Operations will include material handling, product pallet assembly, systems support, logistics and distribution.
Company officials said a third-party logistics provider will most likely manage the day-to-day operations at the distribution center. A decision will not be made until a full assessment is completed later this spring.
The state-of-the-art distribution center will be built by Majestic Realty Co. in accordance with Crayola’s specifications and leased by Crayola through 2023.
“We are very excited at the prospect of this new distribution center and warehouse in the Lehigh Valley,” said Mike Perry, Crayola President & CEO. “It will allow us to optimize our logistics and warehouse operations under one roof, expand operations near our domestic manufacturing and office operations, and improve our product flow. It will provide us with greater efficiencies, cost savings, and improved customer service.”
The company’s choice to locate its primary distribution center in Bethlehem signals its ongoing commitment to Crayola’s operations in the Lehigh Valley, Perry added.
Pete Ruggiero, Executive Vice President of Crayola Global Operations said that Majestic Realty and the city of Bethlehem have been excellent partners. “Their support, expertise and resources helped us to choose this ideal location, which is near to our manufacturing facilities and the intermodal transportation terminal, and will allow us to leverage the Lehigh Valley’s skilled workforce,” he said. “All of this provides an edge for the company’s warehousing and shipping needs as we continue to provide creative, inspiring and fun Crayola products to retail locations and kids around the world quickly and efficiently,” Ruggiero said.
“Crayola is an industry leader and one of the most recognized and well regarded brands in the U.S.,” said Ed Konjoyan, Vice President, Majestic Realty Co. “We are honored they have selected the Majestic Bethlehem Center for such an important facility.”
Groundbreaking for the Crayola Distribution Center will take place later this spring. Crayola will begin to transfer products and operations to the distribution center in December with full operations beginning in March 2013.
About Crayola
Crayola inspires creativity in children by providing colorful, innovative art tools that transform their original ideas into visible form. Whether it’s providing colors to put a purple octopus on the moon, or enabling teachers to bring arts-infused learning into the classroom, Crayola is passionate about helping parents and educators raise creatively alive children. A Hallmark subsidiary, Crayola has its world headquarters in Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, and employs 1,160.
About Majestic Realty Co. and the Majestic Bethlehem Center
Founded in 1948, Majestic Realty Co. is the largest privately held developer and owner of master-planned business parks in the United States. Majestic’s 70-million square-foot portfolio provides real estate solutions for tenants large and small, creating jobs, tax revenue and community benefits across the country. Headquartered in Southern California, Majestic has regional offices in Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, Las Vegas and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. At full-build out, the Majestic Bethlehem Center is projected to be 8 million square feet, comprising light industrial, manufacturing, data center and high-cube distribution facilities.
Learn more about Majestic Bethlehem Center at http://www.majesticbethlehem.com/