news-record.com

GREENSBORO - Replacements today announced plans to enlarge its main complex that houses its corporate headquarters, showroom, museum and main warehouse.

"I feel extremely fortunate we've made sound business decisions that put Replacements in a position to grow and continue to provide jobs to nearly 550 people at a time when other companies are struggling in today's tough economic climate," owner, CEO and founder Bob Page said in a company press release Tuesday.

Replacements is the world's largest supplier of old and new china, crystal, silver and collectibles.

It marks the second expansion since Replacements moved to 1089 Knox Road in 1990.

Replacements' current space totals 415,800 square feet. That includes the main building and three owned or leased satellite warehouses.

The expansion will triple the size of Replacements' main building on Knox Road, adding more than 500,000 square feet. That will allow the company to consolidate operations and create a working area of 750,000 square feet, roughly the size of 13 football fields.

"After reviewing our financial models, it's very clear that it will be much more cost effective long-term to expand as opposed to continuing to lease additional warehouse space," company president Scott Fleming said in Tuesday's release.

Fleming said most of the additional space will be devoted to warehousing and inventory storage needs.

Company leaders expect construction to start in early 2009. It should last about one year.

The company currently houses an inventory of more than 12 million pieces from more than 293,000 patterns.