HelloFresh is opening what is claimed to be the largest Australian meal kit pick-and-pack facility in Ravenhall, Victoria.
Nicknamed the Tuckerbox, the 25,500sqm production and distribution centre represents a “continued investment in HelloFresh’s customer experience through quicker deliveries to Victoria regions and nearby states, alongside reduced delivery miles for suppliers”.
To open in July, the Tuckerbox will offer 350 employment opportunities across pick packers, forklift drivers, quality control and management positions.
Addressing sustainability
The facility launch follows the HelloFresh’s first group-wide commitment to reduce CO2 emissions in its production facilities by 60% per dollar revenue by 2022.
The biggest impact to CO2 emissions comes from the reduction of transport time, but the Tuckerbox has been designed with sustainability at the forefront.
Its environmental features include:
- Skylights to maximise natural light.
- A rainwater harvesting system.
- 600kW solar panels for both electricity and heating water.
- Motion and daylight sensors to reduce overall energy consumption.
An ‘impressive’ milestone
HelloFresh Australia CEO Tom Rutledge says the Tuckerbox will take the meal kit company to the next level. He adds that customers are set to benefit from improved deliveries and menu expansion to meet changing dietary preferences and meal occasions.
“The launch of our third and largest Australian chilled production facility marks an impressive milestone for the business and will allow us to better serve our growing customer base,” says Mr Rutledge.
“Ultimately, our focus is to continuously improve the product offering to our customers and how we can increase the value, convenience, and accessibility of our service.
“The Tuckerbox, with its size, situation, and sophistication provides a tremendous platform for us to realise these objectives over the years to come.
“We are pleased to be creating new jobs in the local area and expanding on the partnerships we hold with many local suppliers to provide fresh and high-quality ingredients to our customers.
“As the world’s largest meal kit provider, we also have a responsibility to set a clear precedent and strive towards more sustainable ways of working in our production facilities. We’re proud of the sustainable developments we’ve made in the Tuckerbox.”