Amazon Robotics Fulfillment Center celebrates grand opening

JOHNSTON, R.I. (WLNE) — The Amazon Robotics Fulfillment Center celebrating its grand opening on Tuesday, after work that had been ongoing since 2020.

The overall Amazon facility covers 3.8 million square feet and holds up to 41 million items, making it almost four times larger than the one in Fall River.

Though robotics is mentioned in the name, facility site leader Sultan Kabiawu said not to worry about the robots taking jobs from human workers.

“I think that the introduction of this facility proves that jobs are not being taken, jobs are actually growing with our technology,” Kabiawu said. “The technology that we use in this fulfillment center allows the employees that interact with it to have an enhanced experience and also improve how we deliver for our customers.”

Speaker of the House Joe Shekarchi said that having this Amazon facility is major win for Johnston and for the state.

“It’s exciting to be here, 1500 permanent jobs, 1500 construction jobs, the governor touched upon it, prevailing wage, critically important for the state and the community,” Shekarchi said.

Amazon executives agreed with that sentiment, and said that they enjoy doing business in Rhode Island.

“Rhode Island is a great state to do business. It offers a strategic location, a dedicated and talented workforce, an unparalleled quality of life for our employees and their families,” Amazon Northeast Director of Economic Development Brad Griggs said.

After the ribbon-cutting, those in attendance were invited to tour the facility.