Sysco Iowa Inc. has begun construction of a 20,000-square-foot office and customer center at its headquarters in Ankeny. The $4.7 million facility will replace Sysco’s current office building and will be located at the intersection of Shurfine Drive and Hulsizer Road, on the northwest corner of Sysco’s property. The company plans to tear down its existing office building, which is nearly 40 years old.

In addition to providing new office space, the facility will feature state-of-the-art mirrored test kitchens and multiple meeting areas, said Steve Gress, president of Sysco Iowa.

“During visits, our customers will be able to interact directly with culinary experts in the new test kitchens, analyze and design custom menus, discuss ideas and strategies to increase profitability, to name a few,” Gress said. “We also are pleased for the opportunity to expand in the city of Ankeny. Since moving here 10 years ago, Sysco has enjoyed tremendous community support, and we look forward to strengthening this relationship in the future.”

Sysco Iowa is a division of Houston-based Sysco Corp., a food services company that sells, markets and distributes food products, equipment and supplies to restaurants, health-care and educational facilities, lodging establishments and other customers. In its most recent fiscal year, the corporation, which operates 180 distribution facilities, generated more than $37 billion in sales.

In November, the Iowa Economic Development Board awarded tax incentives to Sysco Iowa through the High Quality Jobs program for construction of the facility. Woodruff Design LLC provided the design for the new building, and Woodruff Construction LLC will serve as the project’s general contractor. The Woodruff companies have offices in Ames, Fort Dodge and Iowa City.

Ankeny city and economic development officials joined representatives from Sysco Iowa and the Woodruff companies in a ground-breaking ceremony on April 6 for the new building, which is expected to be completed this fall.