Kaufland selects Merrifield for Australian distribution centre
Image left to right: Matthew Planner MAB, Michael Martin MAB, Ros Spence MP member for Yuroke, Julia Kern Managing Director Kaufland Australia, Jamie Buxton MAB
Kaufland, one of the world’s largest supermarket chains, has confirmed it will open its first Australian distribution centre at Merrifield Business Park.
The supermarket chain has purchased a large 28-hectare site on which it plans to construct a 115,000 square metre purpose-built distribution centre that will service their stores.
The facility will be one of the largest of its kind in Australia and feature extensive temperature controlled storage, the latest automated warehousing with a 40 metre high bay storage as well as a 3,600 square metre office. The initial investment in the facility is $459 million.
The facility is expected to bring an additional estimated 600 jobs to the local area upon completion.
The retailer, which is owned by Schwarz Group, the fourth largest retail chain in the world, selected Merrifield Business Park due to its strategic location on the Hume Freeway and proximity to Melbourne.
It is the fourth major deal for MAB Corporation and its partner Gibson Property Corporation at Merrifield Business Park, with Kaufland joining Dulux, D’Orsogna and Steritech in Victoria’s largest business park.
MAB Director of Business Parks, Michael Martin, said the park had successfully lured a number of brands to relocate from interstate, including D’Orsogna from Western Australia and Steritech from Queensland, to take advantage of the location.
“Merrifield Business Park is fast becoming one of the leading manufacturing, logistics and distribution hubs in Australia, with Kaufland just one of the leading brands seeing its benefits.
“Its strategic location on the Hume Freeway is unparalleled and gives businesses the ability to facilitate future growth and open up more markets and opportunities across Australia.
“It is fantastic to welcome Kaufland to Merrifield and see our vision for this business park fast become a reality.”
A spokesperson from Kaufland said: “Our new state of the art distribution centre at Merrifield Business Park will be the company’s single biggest investment in Australia and enable Kaufland’s expansion. Merrifield was selected for its strategic location and ability to cater for future expansion of the facility.”
MAB and GPC redesigned the land holding for Kaufland, tailoring the site to the company’s needs, and assisted with planning approvals.
“The ability to tailor a solution for a client and to deliver opportunities of scale is very rare and why Merrifield Business Park is able to lure a global brand like Kaufland and other companies from interstate,” said Mr Martin.
“We are able to de-risk planning due to our expertise and track record, and this is another major value add that few competitors can match.”
Daniel Eramo, Associate Director CBRE, said Merrifield Business Park was unique in Australia, being one of the only industrial land holdings offering such significant scale and flexibility for premier brands across the country.
“There are very few other areas where Kaufland – or any business – could purchase 28 hectares on one of Australia’s major freeways. These sites just don’t exist in proximity to major roads and transport links,” Mr Eramo said.
Merrifield Business Park in Mickleham is the largest masterplanned business and employment precinct in Victoria, spanning 330 hectares and destined to create up to 12,000 new jobs.
Merrifield Business Park offers sites up to 30 hectares with the ability to offer land for sale or deliver pre-lease and turn-key solutions with purpose-built facilities.