Wacol Distribution Centre Archives

Winning Group Set To Move Into New Wacol DC

Still Video credit: YouTube / Vaughan Constructions

National appliance retailer Winning Group is set to move into its new 45,750 square metres purpose-built distribution centre in Wacol. The DC will be the largest facility in Winning Group’s history which will include 700sqm of office space and 35,500sqm of hardstand.

The new facility is Winning Group’s third Brisbane site in five years with other distribution centres being considered on the Sunshine Coast and Cairns. Included in the development are a drive-around cross-dock, 28 recessed loading docks, 35-meter hardstands, 15-metre counter-levered awnings and 264 car parking spaces.

Sydney-based Winning Group is a multi-award winning fourth generation Australian family-owned business whose entities include Winning Appliances, Home Clearance, pureplay retailer Appliances Online and national distribution and logistics and installation business Winning Services.

The DC will serve as the base for the Group’s logistic business, Winning Service and will service Appliances Online, Winning Appliances, Rogerseller and Home Clearance and third-party logistics partners including, King Living, iFit and Sub-Zero & Wolf.

The new distribution centre is the first commitment at LOGOS’ 18.2ha Wacol Logistic Hub. The 74,387sqm site was acquired in April 2021 from Fletcher Building via an off-market deal. LOGOS has partnered with Vaughan Constructions to deliver the project.

”Having successfully completed projects together in New South Wales and Western Australia, this Queensland project, our first for the Sunshine State, will again rely on our strong partnership with LOGOS providing us with the capacity to deliver on client requirements, on budget, and on or ahead of time,’’ Vaughan Construction’s Senior Development Manager in Brisbane, Richard Lloyd

The two-stage project will also include a second 12,868sqm speculative warehouse which would be built to a very different set of parameters, ensuring that it’s readily adapted to meet changing market requirements.

”Vaughans continue to see a high degree of confidence in the `spec build’ market at a time when demand for flexible warehousing facilities from both tenants and investors is at a premium nationwide and particularly in Queensland,’’ Mr Lloyd said.

The new Wacol DC is one of several projects that the Vaughan and LOGOS Property partnership has completed or is underway including the circa 30,000sqm of industrial tenancies at the Villawood Logistics Estate in New South Wales; a Volvo Truck dealership and a 40,000sqm industrial facility for The Gateway Group, both at Prestons, NSW; the Woolworths Heathwood project and a 22,000sqm logistics facility at Hazelmere in WA.

Construction And Mining Equipment Manufacturing Giant Steps Up Recruitment Drive

Photo Credit: Komatsu / komatsu.com.au

Months after unveiling its $48-million Wacol Distribution Centre, construction and mining equipment manufacturing giant Komatsu is stepping up its statewide recruitment drive for apprentices.

Already at 1,200 strong, Komatsu is looking into expanding its workforce as it opened more apprenticeship positions last month. In early 2022, some 50 positions were filled for its Wacol distribution facility which opened in March.

The company is looking into filling thousands of apprentices and technicians positions over the next ten years as the company is set to make further investments in technological advancements in heavy equipment manufacturing, further boosting job creation in the Australian mining sector.

This August 2022, four upgraded Komatsu 930E haul trucks began their autonomous operations at South Flank iron ore mine in Western Australia. These trucks are part of a fleet of autonomous-ready haul trucks that are in the process of being upgraded and are expected to be completed in September next year.

“Komatsu’s autonomous technology helps drive job creation, with a focus on safety, diversity, upskilling and an innovative flexible workforce that meets the needs of people and communities with business goals,” Sean Taylor, CEO & Managing Director, Komatsu Australia said.

Late last year, the state government announced that the minerals and exploration sectors have recorded impressive growth in 2021 with a four-quarter average of jobs in exploration in Qld rising almost 70 per cent to more than 22,600.

Moreover, jobs in minerals mining and quarrying in Queensland also reached a record high with its four-quarter average rocketing to more than 24,100 or 28.4 per cent year-on-year.

Australian mineral exploration spending reached $1.90 billion or an increase of 38.8 per cent year-on-year in 2021, eclipsing the average global budget growth rate of 35 per cent, according to S&P Global data.

The Australian mining and energy sector is poised for another record-breaking growth this year amid the global energy crisis. Export earnings are projected to reach $425 billion this financial year or a lift of 33 per cent from 2020-21, according to the Australian Government’s Resources and Energy Quarterly Report March 2022.

Komatsu Unveils Wacol Distribution Centre, Innovation Hub

Photo Credit: Komatsu / komatsu.com.au

Did you know that Komatsu has officially opened its Innovation Hub, a part of the new, $48-million Wacol Distribution Centre?

Todd Connolly, General Manager, Business Transformation said that as the company focuses on innovation and technology leadership across all aspects of its business, the Innovation Hub is an addition to the new Wacol Distribution Centre “…that demonstrates Komatsu’s vision to empower a sustainable future where people, businesses and our planet can thrive together.”

“It’s been designed to inspire the next generation of Komatsu employees and management, along with our customers and other stakeholders, to continue our innovation journey along with us,” Mr Connolly said.

A range of interactive exhibits will be showcased at The Innovation Hub demonstrating the company’s latest technologies in mining, quarrying and construction equipment and solutions.

The exhibit covers mining automation, Komatsu Smart Construction, digital services, sustainability, supply chain and a “history lane”.

Mr Connolly added that the exhibit will allow visitors to see the company’s past and vision of the future featuring classic items display of Komatsu equipment as well as prototype all-electric remote control excavators.

Wacol Innovation Hub — Photo Credit: Komatsu/ komatsu.com.au

“We have live displays of our Komatsu machine population throughout Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia – including location, operating status and machine condition – along with a countdown to our 150th anniversary in 2071.

“There are also opportunities to try out a Komatsu excavator simulator, or see how our Smart Construction offerings are having a direct influence today on the management of our infrastructure and resources projects of tomorrow.”

The 17,500-sqm Wacol Distribution Centre is the first largest facility that the company has constructed thus far. It has created more than 50 new jobs and was commissioned in celebration of the company’s 100th anniversary.

The new distribution centre will allow the company to serve and improve the satisfaction of its more than 3,000 customers across Queensland, the Northern Territory, NSW, New Zealand and New Caledonia.

“Customers in these regions – which includes large mining customers – are currently serviced from our various Brisbane facilities, and by consolidating them into a single operation, we anticipate a marked improvement in customer satisfaction,” Komatsu’s General Manager, Supply Chain Russell Hodson, said.

“The new facility will also be much safer for Komatsu employees and service providers, making use of the latest warehousing technology and systems, including anti-collision systems and full worker/machine separation throughout.