Ahold Delhaize USA is marking a milestone in its supply chain transformation to create an integrated self-distributed supply chain of the future.

The Netherlands-based retailer said the first distribution center, Freetown Grocery in Mass., this week transitioned procurement from a third-party vendor to the self-managed network, providing direct control of inventory and replenishment at this facility.

“Our work to transform the supply chain to an integrated self-distribution model of the future is not only on-time, but ahead of schedule,” said Chris Lewis, EVP, Supply Chain for Retail Business Services, Ahold Delhaize USA’s services company.

“Today marks an important milestone in our journey with the transition of procurement at this facility, and we’re looking forward to other facility transitions this year. On top of that, we’ve launched new programs to begin to help us as we optimize the network at scale.”

Freetown Grocery was founded in 2004 and is a 1.1 million square foot facility fulfilling grocery demand for the Stop & Shop brand. Stop & Shop continues to own the facility and fulfill orders, while ADUSA Procurement manages replenishment and inventory.

“This transition is an important one for the Stop & Shop brand because it gives us more control and ultimately enables us to better serve our stores and our customers at more than 200 Stop & Shop locations across Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island,” said Jim Labrecque, VP of Distribution Operations at Stop & Shop.

This is one of six distribution centers to transition services into the self-managed network in 2021. In addition to Freetown Grocery, which is being announced today, a fresh facility in Freetown, Mass., a distribution center in Jessup, Md., and a distribution center in Carlisle, Pa., will also transition procurement services into the self-managed network in 2021.

Also, ADUSA Distribution will open new facilities in Mauldin, S.C., and Manchester, Conn. Construction is also well underway for two new fully automated frozen facilities.