Client Objective
In a November 10, 2020 announcement, Mike Kindy, Dollar General’s executive vice president of global supply chain said, “we are excited for the addition of our first-ever, ground-up dual distribution center, which is to be built in Blair, and look forward to expanding our mission of Serving Others in the Midwest.”
The Dollar General Distribution Center in Blair, Nebraska is 1,000,000 GSF. Dollar General determined that the dual distribution center (dry goods and cold storage) required a detailed design to assure the functionality and efficiency they desired.
2022 marked the 12th year that Dollar General has been an ASD client (NTI’s parent company).
During this time, ASD has performed the low-voltage installation for over 7,000 new stores, and more recently installations for “new and existing” Dollar General Distribution Centers. ASD earned the opportunity to help design the Blair distribution center, and as ASD’s subsidiary and design affiliate, NTI provided the design. NTI’s first project with Dollar General proved to be one of NTI’s most exciting projects.
As we most often do, NTI designed the complete structured cabling system, security systems, and audio visual (AV) systems. A more detailed view of our design includes design of a robust wireless infrastructure, a fiber optic cabling system, sound system (speakers throughout), a paging system, CCTV cameras, access control system, and an audio visual package specifically designed for the new distribution center.
The facility is home to state-of-the-art conveyor belt systems that carry various products through the warehouse. The dual distribution center will house, move and distribute Dollar General products and popshelf store products.
J.L. Turner opened the first Dollar General store in 1955. Today, there are over 17,000 stores in 46 states. Turner’s mission is the same today as it was years ago: to provide value products to serve their customers, employees, and communities better in order to promote growth.
NTI couldn’t be happier to work with a company that holds these values and we’re so pleased that Dollar General selected ASD/NTI for this impressive facility’s design.
Facility Technology Design
NTI designed and produced drawings and specifications for the facility’s technology infrastructure by coordinating with the architect and the ownership group. The drawings detail all cabling, technology equipment rooms, power and HVAC requirements, cabling pathways, and other ITS elements. Using a globally recognized standards-based approach per TIA/EIA, ANSI, and BICSI guidelines, the completed ITS serves as the information highway for all data, security, TV, and wireless systems.
Cabling System
A standards-based vendor-approved infrastructure for the work stations consisting of copper and fiber optic cabling to support voice (PBX, voicemail, call accounting systems) and data (Point-of-Sale, Property Management, Administrative LAN, and wireless, internet) services.
Security
NTI designed the CCTV and Card access systems and Duress Alarms at defined ingress/egress locations to and from the building, as well as within the scope area. The CCTV system design includes specifications and elevations for security cameras, monitors, and DVR units (digital recorders).
Construction Administration
During the construction phase, NTI personnel responded to inquiries from contractors regarding the technology systems’ build-out. We also visited the site to observe the contractor’s progress, workmanship, and adherence to NTI drawings and specifications.
Throughout every stage, we maintained close collaboration with the architectural and ownership teams to ensure the VISA facility was thoughtfully designed to accommodate future technological advancements.