$100 million distribution centre to streamline food supply chain
A 60,000 m2, $106 million distribution centre is set to improve the efficiency of the Tasmanian grocery sector.
The project has been proposed by Statewide Independent Wholesalers, a partnership between Tasmanian Independent Retailers and Woolworths.
The facility will supply the 28 Woolworths stores in the state as well as 208 independent grocers. It will replace Woolworths’ Hobart and Devonport centres and SIW’s two Launceston facilities at Prospect and Breadalbane.
Michael Kent, Chairman of SIW, reported that modern truck-loading facilities and warehousing technology will be utilized and the logistics system will be streamlined to improve efficiency.
The announcement was warmly received by Tasmanian Premier David Bartlett. “I welcome what is a major investment in Tasmania,” he said. “This will be a new, state-of-the-art distribution centre that will serve Tasmania well into the future. It will revolutionise the food supply chain in Tasmania and help to restrain prices in a climate of rising costs, which is good news for consumers.”
The new centre will reportedly be the equal of any other in the country. “SIW will be introducing the latest supply chain technology in the state, comparable with the best facilities elsewhere in Australia and worldwide,” Mr Bartlett advised.
