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Woolworths is starting a $57 million expansion of its existing Adelaide Regional Distribution Centre (ARDC), which will include 3,500 solar panels.
The ARDC’s sustainability credentials will include thousands of solar panels and expanded recycling facilities.
The project will also create about 140 local jobs throughout construction. Woolworths and Hutchinson Builders will partner with local businesses on the 14-month build.
When it’s finished, says Woolworths, the expanded ARDC centre will be 94,000sqm in size – more than four times the size of Adelaide Oval.
“The expanded ARDC is set to deliver fresher, faster and more frequent deliveries to supermarkets in SA and the Northern Territory by mid-2020,” Woolworths said in a statement.
“These expanded operations will significantly strengthen Woolworths’ 7-day-a-week delivery of fresh produce.”
Best in class
Woolworths Chief Supply Chain Officer Paul Graham says the goal is to create a “best in class” supply chain network.
“The site’s proximity to the Adelaide markets has always been a strength,” he said. “But this upgrade will allow for more frequent and faster deliveries to our stores to help fulfil our fresh-food promise.
“We have a long and proud history in SA. This investment demonstrates our commitment to continued growth in the state and local jobs.”
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. It cements the importance of our city as a logistics hub for SA.”
3,500 solar panels
To boost the new centre’s sustainable-energy credentials, Woolworths will install 3,500 solar panels (1.6MVa system) across the rooftop. This is the largest solar installation in Woolworths’ Australian network and larger than the current installation at Adelaide airport.
According to Woolworths, the $2.5 million solar installation will supply about one-fifth of the centre’s energy needs.
Woolworths will also expand the recycling facility for pallets, it says, “reflecting our commitment to further reducing plastics and cardboard within our supply chain”.