Miller Zell to call Woodstock home

IDI leases large portion of building to Atlanta-based firm

By Mark Schadenberg

In terms of North American commerce, IDI stands for Industrial Developments International.

However, in Woodstock, IDI means intelligent destination and insight.

Great news from Woodstock City Hall can be read about in the local development office’s website of www.cometothecrossroads.com (lmagyar@city.woodstock.on.ca) or in the local daily: www.woodstocksentinelreview.com.

What is Miller Zell? They will soon be employing more than 30 locally in its 80,915 sq ft leasing of a major portion of the IDI warehouse built in Commerce Way business park along Parkinson and bordering the 401/403 interchange.

Miller Zell (www.millerzell.com) is a retail leader in space design concepts for large department stores such as Walmart, using the slogan: ‘Making The World A Better Place To Shop.’ MZ in not unknown to this area as they have Canadian locations in Mississauga (National headquarters) and even New Hamburg.

"Woodstock offers us the perfect location from which to serve all of our customers" said Doug Foley, Vice President of Business Development for Miller Zell in the ‘crossroads’ website press release.  "Our new facility is literally located at the intersection of two of Canada's most important transportation routes, Highways 401 and 403, and in close proximity to several key US-Canada border crossings. Our company has been experiencing strong growth in the Canadian market and has outgrown our current facility. When it came time to search for new space, Woodstock was a natural choice".

This is also not a long-term wait for arrival, as Miller Zell is taking possession of its space now -- immediately

Miller Zell is based in Atlanta and began expanding into Canada in 1996 to coincide with the Walmart expansion northward, but their clients include Home Depot, Home Outfitters, Sears, Rogers Communications and Yankee Candle.

Woodstock mayor Pat Sobeski noted this announcement is good news because just like the Sysco food distribution centre now under construction, it allows Woodstock to welcome another industry not automobile related.

There certainly is a sense that Oxford can not afford to put all its eggs into the car basket even though Toyota and Cami (GM) are flourishing at present.

“We are pleased to see such a unique business become part of our community,” said Sobeski in the ‘crossroads’ story “Miller Zell is a well respected company and is indicative of Woodstock's continued effort to diversify the local economy".