Release Date: Dec 5, 2008
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Summary:
Collective Brands, Inc. and its Payless ShoeSource unit said it plans to expand its Eastern Distribution Center here by an additional 200,000 square feet, and that it expects this to result in approximately 100 additional jobs at the facility.

The Eastern Distribution Center was originally announced in early 2007.  Later that year, Payless acquired The Stride Rite Corporation and its brands, Stride Rite®, Keds®, Saucony® and Sperry Top-Sider®, among others.  Upon completion of the acquisition, the company renamed the holding company to Collective Brands, Inc., which now operates three business units: Payless ShoeSource, Stride Rite, and Collective Licensing International and a strong portfolio of well-recognized, iconic brands.

The original 600,000-square-foot distribution center will be dedicated to Payless product distribution needs, serving stores located east of the Rocky Mountains, as well as Payless.com fulfillment and, with a hand-dyeing facility, serve the product dyeing needs of Payless' new special occasion dyeable designer footwear label Unforgettable Moments by Lela Rose. 

The additional 200,000-square-foot space will support the Stride Rite Children's Group of the Stride Rite unit of Collective Brands, and the distribution of the group's branded products including Stride Rite®, Robeez®, Saucony® Kids, Keds® Kids, among others, to about 300 Stride Rite stores and to wholesale customers. 

"We appreciate the support we've received from all our local partners on our Eastern Distribution Center, including the City of Brookville, Montgomery County, and the State of Ohio, among so many others.  The community has embraced Payless ShoeSource and Collective Brands, and we look forward to strengthening our presence in the area through this expansion and being a strong, active member of the Brookville community and the Dayton Region," said David Milton, vice president global logistics, Collective Brands, Inc.

Clayco Construction group, which led the construction of the original 600,000-square-foot facility, will lead the construction schedule for the expansion to provide occupancy by the spring of 2009. 

Brookville Mayor David Seagraves applauded the professionalism, highly skilled staff and safety efforts of the Clayco team.

"Brookville has been very fortunate this past year not only to gain 300 new jobs to the community and Dayton Region, but with this announcement, concretes a long and lasting valuable relationship with Payless ShoeSource and Collective Brands, one of which our community is so proud," concluded Mayor Seagraves.

"This expansion further solidifies the position of Montgomery County and the Dayton Region as an ideal location for supply-chain management activities," stated Montgomery County Commissioner Judy Dodge.  "This is due to our educational programs such as Wright State University's Logistics and Supply Chain Management degree programs, which are among only a handful of certified degree programs in the nation."

The Collective Brands-Payless Eastern Distribution Center is currently accepting online employment applications via careers at www.careersatpayless.com, keyword EDC. 

According to company officials, Payless is on track to begin operations at the Eastern Distribution Center in Brookville later this month.  The additional space is expected to open spring 2009.