October 12, 2026 I Retail
Sweetwater Expands Distribution Center
Sweetwater's Jeff Ostermann addresses the crowd during the topping-off ceremony.
Sweetwater recently marked a construction milestone as employees and local dignitaries gathered for a topping-off ceremony celebrating the expansion of its distribution center.
The ceremony centered on the placement of the final structural steel beam on the approximately 170,000-square-foot addition, which will expand Sweetwater’s existing 524,363-square-foot distribution facility. The addition is part of a $36.7 million investment covering the expansion, and along with U.S. 30–related campus changes and improvements, it’s the latest step in the company’s ongoing commitment to its Fort Wayne campus.
Before the final beam was raised into place, Sweetwater employees, Fort Wayne mayor Sharon Tucker, and other local officials signed it, a construction tradition that honors the people behind the project. Among the last to sign were six of the distribution center’s longest-tenured hourly employees, who together represent more than 115 years of service to Sweetwater: Greg Bowers, Geraldo Lopez, Danny Vachon, Bill Markey, Kyle Wheeler and Mary MacDonald.
“We are incredibly grateful for the support from the city of Fort Wayne to grow and deepen our commitment to serving millions of customers from right here in Northeast Indiana,” said Jeff Ostermann, Sweetwater’s chief people and culture officer, who served as emcee for the event. “Watching our longest-tenured folks from the distribution center sign the final beam is a very special moment for Sweetwater. Our amazing people are the backbone of our business, and we’re excited to soon be opening up an expanded and improved space that supports both them and our customers even better.”
Tucker welcomed the newly annexed portion of the campus into the city. The project follows a voluntary annexation that brought an additional section of Sweetwater’s campus inside Fort Wayne city limits, including part of the existing distribution center and the ground where the addition is being built. Fort Wayne City Council approved the annexation and expansion of the West Highway 30 Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district earlier this year. The TIF will help fund approximately $6.2 million in public infrastructure improvements, including a new roundabout on Flaugh Road and related road and stormwater work.
Sweetwater plans to hold a formal grand-opening celebration once the expansion and campus enhancements are complete and fully operational, which is expected for the summer of 2027.
