Mesquite, Texas, September 6, 2025
News Summary
IFCO has launched a state-of-the-art service center in Mesquite, Texas, designed to enhance the processing and circulation of reusable packaging for fresh foods. This 240,000-square-foot facility aims to improve supply chain efficiency, food safety, and sustainability while creating over 100 jobs. With features such as 15 loading docks and advanced automated wash lines, the center is expected to process over 40 million reusable crates annually, supporting fresh grocery delivery across North America and reducing reliance on single-use packaging.
Mesquite, Texas — IFCO has opened a new service center in Mesquite, near Dallas, a purpose-built facility intended to increase the processing, cleaning and circulation of reusable packaging for fresh foods across North America. Announced on September 5, 2025, the center aims to boost supply-chain efficiency, food safety and sustainability for grower and retailer partners.
Key facts and immediate impact
The 240,000-square-foot Dallas Service Center is positioned on major transportation corridors to enable efficient connections between growers and retailers across the continental United States. The facility includes 15 loading docks and multiple high-efficiency, automated and sustainable wash lines designed to process reusable returnable plastic crates (RPCs) at scale. At full capacity, the center is expected to handle over 40 million reusable crates annually and employ more than 100 team members working across three shifts.
Operational purpose and capacity
The facility is integrated into IFCO’s North American network to optimize supply routes and lanes for improved efficiency. Automation systems have been incorporated to enhance food safety controls and general operational throughput, and the center is intended to increase crate processing capacity for both retail customers and grower partners. IFCO indicates the Dallas site will service millions of reusable crates each year, supporting the delivery of fresh grocery products to families nationwide.
Workforce and local economic effects
When operating at full capacity, the service center will create local job opportunities by employing over 100 staff across three shifts. These roles will support loading, automated wash-line operations, quality control, maintenance, logistics coordination and other service-center functions.
Company-wide context and scale
IFCO operates a global pool of more than 400 million reusable packaging containers that facilitate over 2.5 billion shipments of fresh food items annually from suppliers to retailers. In the United States, IFCO’s SmartCycle program reportedly affects more than 450 million family interactions each year and generates over 1 billion consumer touchpoints. The Dallas service center is intended to strengthen that network by improving regional processing throughput and minimizing empty miles and supply-chain inefficiencies.
Food safety, sustainability and cost impacts
The center’s automated wash lines and quality controls are designed to support higher food-safety standards and consistent crate sanitation. IFCO’s reusable RPCs are intended to protect freshness and product quality while reducing costs for supply-chain partners. The company positions reuse as a means to lower food waste and reduce environmental impact compared with single-use packaging options, by enabling multiple shipment cycles for the same container.
Logistics and strategic location
Dallas was selected for its central location within the U.S. transportation system, allowing efficient distribution along major north-south and east-west corridors. Integration of the new service center into IFCO’s North American network is expected to optimize routing, reduce transit times between grower regions and retail distribution centers, and improve turnaround on crate returns and reissue.
What the center will handle and why it matters
At projected throughput, the Dallas facility will process tens of millions of RPCs annually, supporting stores and suppliers by returning cleaned, inspected and ready-to-use crates into the supply chain. This increased processing capacity is intended to help retailers and growers meet demand for fresh produce and grocery items while managing packaging costs and reducing single-use waste within store-to-supplier flows.
Background on reusable packaging
Returnable plastic crates have been adopted by parts of the fresh-food supply chain for their durability, protection of perishable goods, and ability to be cleaned and reused across many cycles. Reuse models depend on centralized wash-and-service centers that can efficiently sanitize, inspect and re-circulate containers. The new Mesquite service center represents a regional expansion of those capabilities within IFCO’s broader global pool of reusable containers and logistical network.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the new facility and where is it located?
The new IFCO service center is a 240,000-square-foot facility in Mesquite, near Dallas, Texas, announced on September 5, 2025.
How many crates will the center process?
The facility is expected to handle over 40 million reusable crates each year once operating at full capacity.
How many people will the facility employ?
At full capacity, the service center will employ more than 100 team members across three shifts.
What equipment and capabilities does the center have?
The site includes 15 loading docks and multiple high-efficiency automated and sustainable wash lines intended to improve sanitation, throughput and operational efficiency.
How does this center fit into IFCO’s broader operations?
The Dallas center is integrated into IFCO’s North American network to optimize routing and processing capacity. IFCO operates a global pool of over 400 million reusable containers and supports more than 2.5 billion fresh-food shipments annually.
What are the environmental and supply-chain benefits?
The use of reusable RPCs aims to protect produce freshness, reduce food waste and lower environmental impact relative to single-use packaging by enabling repeated reuse and centralized sanitation.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- FreshPlaza: IFCO Opens New Service Center in Dallas, TX
- Wikipedia: Packaging
- Automation.com: IFCO Opens State-of-the-Art Facility in Texas Grocery
- Google Search: Supply Chain Efficiency
- MMH: Koerber Opens Innovation Center in Dallas, Texas
- Google Scholar: Reusable Packaging
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Sustainability
- Google News: Reusable Plastic Containers
Author: STAFF HERE DALLAS WRITER
DALLAS STAFF WRITER The DALLAS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREDallas.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Dallas, Dallas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the State Fair of Texas, Deep Ellum Arts Festival, and Dallas International Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Dallas Regional Chamber and United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, plus leading businesses in telecommunications, aviation, and semiconductors that power the local economy such as AT&T, Southwest Airlines, and Texas Instruments. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
