WARRENDALE — American Eagle has begun the process of closing its distribution warehouse in the Thorn Hill Industrial Park, a process that will take 200 jobs to eastern Pennsylvania.

Brittany Rae Fraser, a spokesman for the company, said Friday that although the process of moving jobs has started, there is no anticipated date of when that might be finished. The company’s chief executive officer in September 2013 announced the warehouse closure would be a two-year process.

He stated the 500,000-square foot warehouse cannot be expanded to meet changing market demands, a factor that led to the warehouse closure.

The distribution center had been in operation since 2007. Employees at the warehouse will either be offered new jobs in the area or can move to a facility in Hazelton, Luzerne County.

“Our decision to move to the Hazleton distribution center site, which was announced last year, was difficult,” Fraser said. “We felt this decision was critical for us to effectively compete in a challenging retail environment that is increasingly influenced by e-commerce.”

Fraser added the company remains committed to helping its employees through this transition period.

“During this transition, we are fully supporting our Warrendale associates, whether they are transferring to our Hazleton distribution center or other positions within the company, planning retirement, or pursuing a new career opportunity,” she said.

Tim White, a spokesman with RIDC in Pittsburgh, the entity that owns the Thorn Hill Industrial Park, said the American Eagle warehouse likely will hit the market soon.

“It’s a pretty healthy market in general, and especially the Cranberry submarket,” he said. “So any vacancy like that will be leased or bought up relatively quickly.”