Bapcor has built the company’s second centralised distribution centre in the Brisbane suburb of Redbank, with the design and construction following the company’s first purpose-built distribution centre in Victoria, completed in 2021.
When operational, the 41,580-square-metre centre will consolidate seven existing Brisbane-based warehouses into one purpose-designed facility, strengthening supply chain capabilities across the company’s parts receiving and sending eco-system.
The centre is an extension of the company’s broader strategy to build the industry’s best-in-class supply chain and expand its centralised distribution network model.
The facility will feature a world-class automated order (‘goods-to-person’) fulfillment solution that combines automated storage and retrieval with an accurate and integrated ‘pick-to-light’ order fulfillment system. It will also benefit from the latest warehouse management system where every product is measured, weighed and barcode-recorded to ensure operational efficiency across the supply chain network.
Several sustainability solutions are implemented, such as a 1.8-megawatt solar panel system generating enough power to light 500 residential properties annually. There are also six charging stations for up to twelve electric vehicles in the staff car park and rainwater harvesting storage capabilities for landscape irrigation and other amenity uses.
Staff exercise and recreational needs have also been considered, with a full-sized outdoor basketball court included in the design.
“We must continue to optimise our supply chain eco-system and leverage the scale of our business to create a great customer experience,” said Abdul Jaafar, Bapcor Executive General Manager Supply Chain.
“We have a vision for one way of working across the supply chain that will ensure we are driving continuous improvement in an ever-changing world, where our customers’ demand of multi-channel fulfilment is at the heart of how we deliver our products.
“All the while we are continuing to focus on having the right stock in the right location at the right time.”
