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Jacksonville Amazon employees work around he clock to fulfill holiday orders

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Up to 1 million items come through the Amazon fulfillment center in Jacksonville in one day. It’s one of the largest fulfillment centers for the company. Action News Jax got an inside look at how it’s run during the peak of the holiday season.

“I love it,” Amazon associate Janet Morgan said. “The adrenaline is just great, and to make someone’s Christmas is even better.”

Morgan has been with Amazon for two years and is currently a full-time employee. She packs single items at an individual station at the Jacksonville fulfillment center.

During Amazon’s peak season, Morgan and thousands of other employees work 11-hour shifts, with two 30-minute breaks.

Normally, this facility has 1,500 employees. During the holiday season, Amazon hires 2,000 more employees who are assigned to one of three Jacksonville locations.

“During peak season, we might have extra overtime with that where we ask our associates to come in and help us out during that peak season,” General Manager Gary Reeves said. “So it could fluctuate, but more importantly, it’s the additional 5,000 associates that allow us to get to 1 million units.”

Amazon technology is another tool used to help associates. Reeves said the machines and systems used in this facility were designed by Amazon. For example, custom robotics are used to help store thousands of items. The system is programmed to run on a grid and keeps each item accountable.

“Everything that you saw is Amazon technology, from the Amazon robotics to our pack stations," Reeves said. “What that really does is helps us be more efficient, to make that magic happen and get it to your doorstep in one day.”

Each order has a specific bar code on it that will keep track of the item at each station. Once the facility receives the item and it’s selected from storage, it’s then moved to a package station with an Amazon employee. From there, the bar code helps the computer select the mailing label and it heads out for the distribution center.

Although it’s long hours, employees said they feel energized with the holiday season.

“Everyone is usually fulfilling customer orders that are holiday gifts,” Reeves said. “So it can’t help but make you smile. It can’t help but make you happy when you walk in the building.”