Supermarket giant Woolworths has kicked off its $57 million expansion of the existing Adelaide Regional Distribution Centre (ARDC), which is set to bring faster and more frequent deliveries to supermarkets in South Australia and the Northern Territory.
Woolworths chief supply chain officer Paul Graham said on Thursday that the expansion is part of Woolworths plan to create a best-in-class supply chain network for its customers.
“The site’s proximity to the Adelaide markets has always been a strength, but this upgrade will allow for more frequent and faster deliveries to our stores to help fulfil our fresh food promise,” Graham said.
Sustainable energy is a key part of the build, with the expanded 94,000 square metre centre to feature 3,500 solar panels (1.6MVa system) across the rooftop, the largest solar installation in Woolworths’ Australian network.
The $2.5 million solar installation will provide around one-fifth of the centre’s energy needs.
The project also includes an expanded recycling facility for pallets to reduce plastics and cardboard within the supply chain.
Premier of South Australia, Hon Steven Marshall MP was on-site on Thursday to mark the start of construction, alongside mayor of Port-Adelaide Enfield, Claire Boan, and Scott Hutchinson, chairman of Hutchinson Builders
Turning the sod on a major $56m expansion of the @woolworths #Adelaide Regional Distribution Centre, that will create 140 #SAjobs during construction. The expansion will create opportunities for SA food producers & ensure customers have greater supply of fresh produce. pic.twitter.com/FGfGWrXOsw
— Steven Marshall, MP (@marshall_steven) February 21, 2019
The expansion will be funded by the landowner Growthpoint Properties under a new 15-year lease. Approximately 140 local jobs will be created throughout the 14 month build.
Melbourne South Regional DC expected to begin operations soon
Meanwhile, Woolworths highly-anticipated state-of-the-art distribution centre in Dandenong South in Melbourne is expected to be fully operational soon after months of testing.
The fully-automated centre is Woolworths’ largest ever infrastructure project and will revolutionise the way the supermarket giant delivers goods to stores.
According to the Australian Financial Review, the 57,000 square metre facility features 14km of high-speed conveyors, 50 robots, 13 cranes and Australia’s largest roof-top solar installation.
The facility will operate around the clock and will supply Woolworths’ stores in northern and eastern Victoria.
With operations due to commence soon, the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) has released a free resource to help business ensure deliveries have the best chance of being quickly and easily receipted without issue at the new centre. The Common Delivery Guidelines and Despatch Toolkit can be accessed here.
