Milo’s expands with new Alabama distribution hub

Milo’s Tea Company opened a 150,000-square-foot refrigerated distribution center in Birmingham, Alabama. The facility, its fourth major investment since 2020, sits near the Bessemer manufacturing plant and employs about 50 people. It expands the company’s cold chain logistics network.

Expansion follows $400 million in recent investments

The Birmingham center is part of nearly $400 million in domestic manufacturing investments Milo’s has made over the past five years. These projects include a $150 million greenfield site in Tulsa, Oklahoma, which opened in 2020, and a $200 million facility in Spartanburg, South Carolina, that began operations in 2025.

The original Bessemer plant grew from 30,000 to more than 200,000 square feet. Combined, the expansions have created over 500 jobs across Alabama, Oklahoma, and South Carolina.

Tricia Wallwork, chair and CEO of Milo’s and granddaughter of the founders, stated the new distribution center improves safety and efficiency for employees and logistics partners. “This isn’t just about adding square footage—it strengthens our commitment to retail partners to deliver excellent on-time, in-full service,” she said.

Fresh-brewed tea requires cold chain infrastructure

Milo’s brews tea daily without preservatives, acids, or dyes, so refrigerated storage and transport are essential. The new facility supports this requirement while offering what the company describes as “operations and logistics careers” in the region.

Benefits for employees include employer-paid health insurance, a 401(k) match, parental leave, and paid volunteer time off. The company also provides clear career growth pathways for associates.

Related: US food and drink growth to slow by 2027

Chris Droney, Milo’s COO, noted last year’s production volume was the highest in company history, achieved through better efficiency, quality, and safety. “This facility creates roles well beyond material handling because sustainable growth creates opportunity, not just capacity,” he said.

The company’s expansion stems from demand for its refrigerated tea, the top seller in the U.S. Milo’s products reach all 50 states at more than 62,000 retail locations. As a TRUE Platinum-certified zero waste manufacturer, the company donates at least 1% of profits to education, environmental, and disaster relief causes.

Wallwork highlighted the company’s connection to Alabama, where it started in 1946. “Our growth belongs to the people who built it—our associates, our communities, and the customers who have trusted us for over 80 years,” she said.

Milo’s remains headquartered in Birmingham as a certified women-owned business. The new distribution center will help meet demand while preserving product freshness.

Retailers’ adoption of the expanded logistics network may determine what comes next. If sales keep rising, the company might need to add more capacity, though for now, it is focusing on optimizing existing operations.