Justin Brands to outsource distribution of its Western boot brands

Justin Brands is shuttering a Fort Worth distribution facility that handled its Western-style boots and will outsource the work to a Pittsburgh-based logistics firm, the company said Monday.

As a result, 68 employees will be laid off when the facility at 3500 E. Long Ave. closes May 15, according to a March 17 filing with the Texas Workforce Commission. Justin has operated from the facility since 1988.

Justin said it has hired Genco to handle its distribution. The $1.5 billion company has 140 warehouses in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the Middle East, handling logistics for some 300 customers, according to its website. The company was acquired by FedEx in January and operates as a subsidiary.

In a statement, Justin CEO Randy Watson said the company decided to go to a third-party company to manage its distribution operation after examining all possibilities.

“For a variety of reasons, the current distribution center no longer fits Justin Brands’ needs,” he said. “The new distribution center will enable (Justin Brands) to better manage our current volume and position us for future growth.”

Justin spokeswoman Lisa Albert said Genco plans to move distribution from Fort Worth to Lancaster, south of Dallas. Justin employees who worked at the distribution center are being given the opportunity to work with Genco, she said.

A Genco spokesman did not return a call seeking comment.

Justin Brands makes boots under the names Justin, Tony Lama, Nocona, Chippewa and Justin Original Workboots at factories in Cassville and Carthage, Mo., and El Paso. The boots are shipped to Fort Worth and stored here for distribution to retailers and consumers directly, Albert said.

Justin’s roots go back 136 years. Two years ago, Justin bought the Highland Shoe Co., a private-label maker of casual and dress shoes for men and women, in Brewer, Maine.

Justin was acquired by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway in 2000.

Genco’s roots date to 1898 when the family-owned company was founded as the H. Shear Trucking Co. The company merged with ATC Technology Corp. in 2010 to create one of the industry’s largest logistics companies, operating more than 38 million square feet of warehouse space.

This story was originally published March 23, 2015 at 5:18 PM with the headline "Justin Brands to outsource distribution of its Western boot brands."