SHREVEPORT, La. — Robertson Produce has broken ground on a new 34,000-square-foot distribution facility north of downtown Shreveport, with construction scheduled for completion by the end of 2027.
Shreveport-based Hand Construction is building the facility for the third-generation, family-owned wholesale distributor headquartered in Monroe. The project will include refrigerated and dry storage, loading docks and office space on a previously undeveloped site.
Robertson Produce President Dan Robertson and Hand Construction Vice President Kyle Hand joined company leaders at an Oct. 13 groundbreaking.
“Robertson Produce has been feeding this part of the country for more than 75 years, and we’re grateful to their leadership for the confidence they’ve placed in our team,” Hand said.
Hand Construction’s work includes site preparation, the foundation, building shell and interior buildout. Kevin Bryan Architects is the project architect. Hand Construction Project Manager Clay Mitchell will lead the project, with Superintendent Joe Daniels overseeing daily site operations.
The new facility will strengthen Robertson Produce’s Northwest Louisiana distribution operations. The company operates distribution centers in Shreveport, Monroe and Clinton, Mississippi, each serving a roughly 150-mile radius. Its combined service area includes North and Central Louisiana, East Texas, South Arkansas and most of Mississippi.
Customers include restaurant and grocery chains, schools, universities and military outlets. In addition to fresh produce, the company distributes dairy, eggs and food service products.
Founded in 1947 by brothers Flint and Jimmy Robertson, the business began selling produce from their father’s strawberry farm and grew from a single truck into a regional distribution company.
Hand Construction, founded in 1980 by Cayce Hand, is an employee-owned general contractor headquartered in Shreveport. Its work includes industrial, health care and commercial projects.