C-Store Master’s automated warehouse is a fast-growing work in progress.

With completion slated for late fall, the $12 million facility will feature state-of-the-art robotic technology, thanks to its partnership with Geek+. This high-tech capacity enhancement will distinguish the C-Store Master facility as the only one of its kind in the United States.

Once completed, the 120,000-square-feet facility will more than triple its current capacity. (Photos/Steve Babin)

One first sees the disrupted red clay surrounding the construction site on Mastin Lake Road – just off Jordan Lane, an obvious sign of progress. The building’s foundation and structural framework are up; they will soon be followed by the addition of the walls and roof. The last phase of construction will be the electrical and plumbing, then, finally, the robotic installation.

Once complete, more than 70 robots will be working to enhance automation efficiency, bringing accuracy to 99.99%.

“C-Store Master’s robots will increase their productivity by three to four times,” said Rick DeFiesta, Geek+ director of business development and partnership. “We’re proud to partner with their team on this efficiency to help provide even quicker service for their customers.”

The warehouse has also created 40 jobs for the human workforce.

Sharan Kalva: “Huntsville is the perfect place for our work because of its booming business environment and central location to the entire Southeast.” (Photo/Steve Babin)

As a Huntsville-based regional distributor of convenience store merchandise, C-Store Master outgrew its location at 3100 University Drive in less than three years. Once completed, the 120,000-square-feet facility will more than triple its current capacity.

C-Store Master serves retailers in the Southeast, covering Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and Mississippi. Most stores are within a four- to five-hour radius, which is something that makes the Huntsville warehouse location even more desirable.

Specializing in tobacco and beverages, C-Store Master serves more than 2,000 independent c-stores and more than 4,000 chain stores throughout the Southeast, including more than 3,000 Circle K locations with in-stock availability for more than 97 percent of products; all orders are delivered on a next-day basis.

C-Store Master makes it cost effective and convenient by effectively managing their clients’ inventory. For the convenient business, there’s no risk in owning inventory. Despite an upcharge where the business pays more for the product, it also can easily return the excess stock. For example, clients usually do not want to carry excess seasonal-specific products.

“It’s a consignment business,” said Chief Operating Officer Sharan Kalva. “C-Store Master puts products in a store, but it owns the inventory. The retailer is responsible for the shrinkage, but they do not own that inventory until the moment they sell it.

“Once they sell it, they pay us. Whatever is not sold, we take it back.”

Along with Kalva, the C-Store Master management team includes CEO Satish Kalva and business partner Sandip Patel.

“Huntsville is the perfect place for our work because of its booming business environment and central location to the entire Southeast,” said Kalva. “We believe this cutting-edge warehouse, paired with our innovative software, will continue to set us apart from our competitors.”

For more info, visit www.cstoremaster.com.