Under Armour announced the company’s plan to open a 1.3 million-square-foot distribution and warehouse facility at Sparrows Point in Baltimore County, as part of the Tradepoint Atlantic redevelopment project. The establishment of the Sparrows Point distribution house, which is expected to open in the summer of 2018, is a collaboration with state and local officials to employ approximately 1,000 employees in the Baltimore area once the facility is operating at its full capacity. The facility will feature state-of-the-art equipment and systems to enhance Under Armour’s product distribution to its expanding consumer base through its e-commerce business.
“We take great pride in collaborating with Governor Hogan, Secretary Gill, Baltimore County Executive Kamenetz, Tradepoint Atlantic and the many other state and local officials who share our commitment to create economic and job opportunities for the greater Baltimore community and Maryland as a whole,” said Under Armour Founder and CEO Kevin Plank. “The new Distribution House will be a top-notch service engine for our e-commerce business to deliver the right product, to the right place at the right time to our growing consumer base and athletes around the world.”
This will be Under Armour’s fourth distribution facility in the United States and the second in the surrounding area of the company's headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland. The other Maryland facility is located in Curtis Bay and will continue to operate in addition to its Rialto, Calif. and Mount Juliet, Tenn. distribution houses.
“Under Armour is a true Maryland success story, and this new e-commerce center is another way they are showing their commitment to our state and to the Baltimore region,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “As a pivotal new tenant at Tradepoint Atlantic, Under Armour will play a big part in this site’s resurgence to a center of economic activity and trade. We applaud Kevin Plank and his team for the visionary decision to open their latest distribution house – and create 1,000 jobs over the coming years – right here in Maryland.”
“Under Armour’s latest investment in our state reinforces the fact that Maryland is a great place to do business,” said Secretary of Commerce Mike Gill. “Economic development is a team sport, and it’s clear that our team – from the various state agencies, to the local officials and the private sector – is committed to supporting this project’s success every step of the way.”
Under Armour’s new distribution house represents the largest new tenant for Tradepoint Atlantic, which at 3,100 total acres is the largest, privately owned industrial redevelopment site and port on the U.S. East Coast.
“We are excited to welcome one of the world’s leading global brands to Tradepoint Atlantic, lending further validation to the enormous value that our multi-modal logistics capabilities deliver for companies seeking supply chain optimization and unmatched access to global markets,” said Eric Gilbert, executive vice president of Tradepoint Development, the developer of Tradepoint Atlantic. “The former home to one of the largest integrated steel mills in the world has been reborn as a center for global commerce that will continue to bring new jobs and investment to Maryland.”
To assist with project costs, the Maryland Department of Commerce has approved a $2 million conditional loan through the Maryland Economic Development Assistance Authority and Fund (MEDAAF), and additionally will fund $2 million in real property and infrastructure improvements through the Maryland Economic Development Corporation (MEDCO). The company is also eligible for various tax credits including Maryland’s Job Creation Tax Credit and Enterprise Zones Property Tax Credit, along with the new sales tax exemption on construction materials and equipment at this site, which Governor Hogan signed into law this year. Baltimore County is supporting the project with a $200,000 conditional loan for equipment purchase, contingent on County Council approval.
“Under Armour’s new e-commerce distribution house at Tradepoint Atlantic is a perfect match for our vision for Sparrows Point -- a hometown company investing in the region and bringing 1,000 jobs to Baltimore County,” said Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz. “Under Armour’s success has been based on commitment, respect and the ability to creatively and strategically meet the demands of the marketplace. We are proud to be part of that team.”
“MEDCO is excited to see Under Armour’s decision to locate their e-commerce distribution center at the Tradepoint Atlantic site,” said Bob Brennan, executive director of MEDCO. “Being a part of Team Maryland: Commerce, DLLR, the Port Administration, MEDCO, Baltimore County and Tradepoint Atlantic demonstrated a collaboration of business discipline directed to meet the customer’s needs. MEDCO is pleased to have been a member of the team.”
About Under Armour, Inc.
Under Armour (NYSE: UA, UA.C), the originator of performance footwear, apparel and equipment, revolutionized how athletes across the world dress. Designed to make all athletes better, the brand's innovative products are sold worldwide to athletes at all levels. The Under Armour Connected Fitness™ platform powers the world's largest digital health and fitness community through a suite of applications: UA Record, MapMyFitness, Endomondo and MyFitnessPal. The Under Armour global headquarters is in Baltimore, Maryland. For further information, please visit the Company's website at www.uabiz.com.
About Maryland Commerce
The Maryland Department of Commerce stimulates private investment and creates jobs by attracting new businesses, encouraging the expansion and retention of existing companies, and providing workforce training and financial assistance to Maryland companies. The Department promotes the State's many economic advantages and markets local products and services at home and abroad to spur economic development and international investment, trade and tourism. Because they are major economic generators, the Department also supports the Arts, film production, sports and other special events. For more information, visit commerce.maryland.gov.
About Tradepoint Atlantic
Tradepoint Atlantic is the developer, manager and owner of the former Bethlehem Steel Mill, a 3,100-acre industrial site in Baltimore, Maryland that offers a gateway to markets around the United States and the world, featuring a unique combination of access to deep water berths, rails and highways. Ground-breaking agreements signed with federal and state environmental regulators in 2014 to remediate the legacy from a century of steel-making enable the redevelopment of the site with the potential to become one of North America’s most strategic multi-modal, multi-commodity terminals. For more information visit: www.tradepointatlantic.com.