The Metcash Distribution Centre in Huntingwood, NSW, was awarded the President’s Cup Award at the IGA International Awards of Excellence, which took place in Las Vegas, US, on February 11.
The President’s Cup is awarded to the IGA Global Logistics Distribution Centre and/or master franchisee that has “shown true leadership and innovation in membership growth and development, operational excellence and assessment rating, IGA brand product support, IGA brand image support and IGA alliance support”.
The distribution-centre building, servicing more than 600 IGA customers, was rendered completely inoperable following a devastating hailstorm that caused a roof collapse and distorted the building’s frame. Extensive repairs were required, with the completion of the recommissioning occurring some 14 months later.
Immediately following the hailstorm, the operations team instigated interstate supply solutions from Queensland and Victoria before establishing and running four local, separate satellite warehouse operations.
Satellite-warehouse commissioning required the warehouses to be fitted out with racking, CCTV and IT communications, transport routes reconfigured, large-scale temporary workforces engaged and partnership with vendor partners to reposition stock.
Linda Venables, Chief Logistics Officer, Food & Liquor said: “We’re immensely proud of the collaborative efforts of the NSW state and logistics teams in supporting our independent retailers and delighted their dedication and diligence in running the interim solutions and restoring distribution-centre operations has been recognised by IGA globally.”
Since reopening, the distribution centre has also been awarded the ‘SMART’ supply chain and logistics award for ‘Excellence in Event, Humanitarian or Military logistics’ and named winner of the 2017 Australian Insurer National risk award for property maintenance. The distribution centre also received Australia’s premier risk-management award, Vero RM Advancer, in recognition of the systems, processes and activities undertaken to minimise loss and damage arising from property management.