Agren Appliance is building a new distribution center, as seen Thursday afternoon, next to Exit 75 of the turnpike in Auburn. Washington Street is at back right. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

AUBURN — Auburn-based Agren Appliance is investing heavily in its future, breaking ground last month on a $9.5 million distribution center off Kittyhawk Avenue on Adamian Drive, adjacent to the I-95 Exit 75.

Agren is Maine’s largest, family-owned, independent appliance and mattress store chain with six locations in Auburn, Topsham, Saco, South Portland, Norway and Bridgton. The company also operates two warehouses.

In a statement this week, Agren leadership said the new distribution center will lead to enhanced delivery services and operational efficiency, enabling the company to scale up its purchasing capabilities, and ensuring the ability to match competitive box store pricing without compromising product quality.

In a 2016 interview with the Sun Journal, CEO Jason Agren addressed the issue of competitive pricing. “The toughest message to communicate to the public is that we match pricing, or offer better pricing to start,” Agren told the Sun Journal. “People inherently think that we are more expensive because we are an independent dealer. That is not the case.”

Agren Appliance’s business headquarters, right, is seen Thursday afternoon on Adamian Drive in Auburn. At upper left, tractor-trailers turn from Kittyhawk Avenue onto Washington Street. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

The new distribution center will be 51,000 square feet and house a fleet of 50 vehicles and 60 workers. It will sit on 12 acres purchased by Agren prior to moving the company headquarters to 11 Adamian Drive in 2021. The building was the former corporate offices of Flowers Foods.

“We anticipate a big positive impact on our community and the retail sector as a whole,” Jason Agren said in a statement.

The company says it anticipates the new distribution center will be fully operational by 2024.