Amazon plans to convert its existing facility in Homestead, Florida, into a fulfillment center, temporarily closing the warehouse in the process, Amazon spokesperson Amber Plunkett told Supply Chain Dive in an email.
The facility will be shut down effective July 2, affecting 616 employees in the process, according to an April 17 Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act notice. Employee separations are slated for July 2 and September 30, impacting a wide range of roles including fulfillment center associates, operations managers and transportation associates.
The converted facility, which represents a $200 million investment in the South Florida region, is expected to reopen in mid-to-late 2028 and will employ more than 1,000 people, Amazon said.
“We’re always evaluating our network to make sure it fits our business needs and to improve the experience for our employees, customers, partners, and drivers,” Plunkett said.
In the meantime, operations will transfer to other nearby facilities.
“Our goal is to keep our employees based at this facility with Amazon,” Plunkett said. “More than 300 employees from our facility in Homestead have already accepted transfers to stay with Amazon at other facilities, most of which are based in Miami-Dade County, and our HR team continues to work with our employees to transfer them to other locations that best fits their preferences—we have eight operations facilities in Miami and 30 across South Florida. For those who prefer not to transfer, we're providing transition support.”
Plunkett further noted that when this facility reopens, it will continue to employ approximately 1,000 people, and employees will have the option to return at that time.
Employees will be able to transfer to eight nearby Florida locations, including four sites in Miami, facilities in Hialeah, Opa-Locka, Miramar and Pembroke Park, Amazon said. In addition to those nearby sites, employees will also have transfer access to 30 facilities in and around South Florida. Amazon will offer a relocation bonus for those who transfer to a site more than 50 miles away from the Homestead facility.
Permanent separations are expected for employees who do not accept internal transfer opportunities at other Amazon locations prior to their separation date, per the WARN.
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