Midland moving warehouse facilities

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

By Doug Wilson

Herald-Whig Senior Writer

Midland Paper Co. is moving and consolidating its warehouse facilities into a part of the Glen-ayre building.

Ken Sparrow, who manages Midland facilities in Quincy, Bloomington and Springfield, said the new warehouse will add only about 20 percent to the square footage of the space offered by two previous warehouses. But the taller ceilings will provide more usable space.

"We can stack things higher," Sparrow said.

Warehouse manager Jim Reckers said it also will be more efficient in a single facility.

Midland distributes items such as paper for commercial printing, corrugated boxes, plastic bags and plastic film, towels and other janitorial supplies. Sparrow said the local operation has grown rapidly, selling primarily to commercial printers, manufacturers, institutions and distribution centers.

"We cover an area in West-Central Illinois, Southeast Iowa and Northeast Missouri. Our service area is up to 130 or 140 miles in some directions," Sparrow said.

Midland has 12 employees in Quincy. Sparrow expects two hirings this year, largely due to the greater inventory that can be housed in the new warehouse.

Sparrow, a former alderman and Unisource employee, has been manager for Midland Paper since May 2005.

Contact Senior Writer Doug Wilson at dwilson@whig.com or (217) 221-3372