Upgraded Adelaide Regional DC to improve service to 250 retail stores across South Australia and NT
Expanded site to handle 2,500 extra product lines and improve supply chain resilience
New solar installation to offset around 20 per cent of the site’s annual energy needs
Wednesday 10 March, 2021: Woolworths customers in South Australia are set to benefit from faster and more frequent deliveries of fresh food and groceries to their local store following the expansion of the Adelaide Regional Distribution Centre (DC).
Woolworths Group’s supply chain and logistics arm - Primary Connect - formally unveiled the $57 million upgrade with South Australian Premier Steven Marshall and the Mayor of Port-Adelaide Enfield Claire Boan earlier today.
The footprint of the DC has grown by around 30 per cent and is now equivalent in size to four Adelaide Ovals (94,000 square metres). With the extra space, the DC can sort and distribute additional volume and an expanded range of products.
Woolworths Group’s Primary Connect Managing Director Paul Graham said: “The importance of our supply chain infrastructure has come into sharp focus during the pandemic.
“With this $57m upgrade, we’re better placed than ever to support the essential food and grocery needs of South Australians.
“The extra capacity at the site will allow us to hold even more key essentials such as pasta, noodles, breakfast cereals and baby food in South Australia. This will shorten delivery lead times on thousands of products across the state - allowing us to better respond to any future surge in demand.”
Mayor of Port Adelaide-Enfield Claire Boan said: “This significant investment by Woolworths builds on the momentum of positive news stories for the Port Adelaide Enfield region and cements the importance of our city as a logistics hub for all of South Australia.”
Renewable energy will help power the DC with a 1.6MVA solar array comprising 3,500 panels. The energy output is equivalent to around 300 Australian households’ consumption and the largest solar installation in the Primary Connect network.
Mr Graham concluded: “As the operators of Australia’s largest retail supply chain, we want to help build a better tomorrow for generations to come.
“We’ve made a multi-million dollar investment in renewable energy at this site with a massive solar installation, which is set to offset around 20 per cent of our annual energy needs.
“We’re also continuing our food rescue partnership with FoodBank South Australia and expect to donate around 250 tonnes of product to help those in need over the next 12 months. We’re proud to be the largest donor to FoodBank in Australia and continue to provide pro bono freight to support their important mission.”
The expansion of Adelaide Regional Distribution Centre is funded by landowner, Growthpoint Properties, under a new 15-year lease over the entire distribution centre. The project created around 140 local jobs during the construction through Hutchinson Builders.
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