POST FALLS - A new distribution center will open in Post Falls this summer, offering about 32 jobs almost immediately and possibly 18 more by year's end.

Transamerican Auto Parts, of Compton, Calif., is wasting no time in getting up and running, said Jobs Plus President Gynii Gilliam.

She said the company plans to start posting at least 21 jobs this week on the Idaho Department of Labor's website.

"Those are the ones we have job descriptions written for," Gilliam said, adding the company is working on descriptions for 11 more positions as soon as possible.

"They plan to start interviews on (June) 15th through the 19th," she said, adding the positions offered will be from the warehouse crew to distribution center manager.

Gilliam said the company wants the warehouse to be ready to accept goods by July 1, and begin distributing parts to the Pacific Northwest and western Canada by Aug. 1.

Aside from the 75,000-square-foot distribution center, the company plans to open a 10,000-square-foot retail outlet called "4 Wheel Parts," a truck and Jeep accessory superstore.

Plans are to open the retail store by Sept. 1.

The new warehouse and retail outlet will be located in parts of the old Jacklin Seed Warehouse on the southwest corner of the Beck Road Interchange and Interstate 90.

"We believe our selection of the Post Falls site provides us a strategic opportunity to optimize customer sales and support in that area of the country," said Bruce Siminiak, director of distribution and operations at Transamerican.

Siminiak said the location was primarily selected for transportation access to future markets. He said the sales potential in the Pacific Northwest was also a consideration because the company is expanding.

Transamerican has 69 locations across the United States.

"With the Post Falls location we will be supporting three states to begin with and western Canada," he said, adding the company has an aggressive opening schedule. "When we turn the lights on, we want to get into the market quickly."

Siminiak said Jacklin Land Co. is going to help remodel the facility to meet the company's needs.

"It is going to be a fairly aggressive project for everyone involved," he said.

Siminiak said wages will be based on the position being filled and the applicant's experience.

He said working with the job recruitment professionals in Post Falls has been a very enjoyable experience.

"It really is a cool community up there," Siminiak said, adding he won't be relocating his family. "But I'll be spending a significant amount of time up there. The overall experience was very supportive and hospitable."

Patty Shea, chair of the Jobs Plus Board, was pleased to welcome Transamerican to Post Falls.

"This has been a great example of collaboration with the city of Post Falls, Idaho Department of Labor, Jobs Plus, Jacklin Land Co. and Transamerican Auto Parts," Shea wrote in a statement. "We look forward to helping the company achieve great success in the future."