Home furnishing retailer IKEA will officially inaugurate its Northwest Distribution Center near Tacoma with a ceremony Weds., Sept. 17 at 11 a.m. The ceremony will include remarks by Gov. Chris Gregoire and other local government officials, flag-raisings, and a traditional Swedish log-sawing, symbolizing good luck to a new home and its visitors.

The 646,000 square-foot IKEA Northwest Distribution Center was built on 65 acres at the Frederickson Industrial Area in unincorporated Pierce County, and represents the first phase of a project by the Swedish company that eventually can expand to more than 1 million square feet. This Northwest Distribution Center will receive goods at the Port of Tacoma and will provide the primary inventory to four IKEA stores in Western Canada, three in the United States, and other stores across the country as needed. Approximately 125 coworkers will be employed by this facility.

In addition to Gov. Gregoire’s keynote, brief remarks will be given by Port of Tacoma Commissioner Don Johnson, Pierce County Councilmember Terry Lee, IKEA North America Distribution Services President Keith Keller, and IKEA Northwest Distribution Center Manager Patrick Wedig.

The IKEA Northwest Distribution Center is loccated at 4604 196th Street East in the Frederickson Industrial Area.