John Mullins and Steve Anderson survey plans.
The new 25,000 sq. m. building will adjoin an existing 13,000sq.
m. facility, situated in the emerging distribution hub bounded by
Shands Road and Main South Road. This will be nearly double the
company‟s existing centre in Papanui.
Steve Anderson, chief executive of Foodstuffs South Island, said
that the company‟s present site in Papanui is too small to
accommodate future growth, coupled with difficulties of access for
heavy vehicles.
"This is a significant investment on our behalf, but that is the
confidence we have in the South Island. We signaled back in 2005
that Papanui was too small and when we opened a new centre in
Hornby in 2007 it was an obvious signal that this would be the site
of future development. Hornby is now the distribution hub of the
South Island due to its proximity to State Highways north and
south, the new Southern Motorway Project, plus the Port of
Lyttelton" he said.
Anderson said that while planning was in its very early stages,
and with the size of the proposed centre, he was confident that
staff would retain their jobs.
"We want to future proof our entire distribution system for the
next 25 years and this will allow us to do so. Papanui was an older
style centre with low racking height and much traffic congestion,
something that would only deteriorate over time. This new facility
gives us the chance to introduce much 'greener' energy and lighting
systems, increase rack heights to 11 metres and have improved work
conditions with covered dock areas and larger yard areas. Staff
facilities will also be considerably enhanced with plans for a
state-of-the art cafeteria, training room and amenities block" he
said.
Work is expected to commence late 2011 as the company works
through the planning and consent stages with completion a year
later. Foodstuffs South Island head office will remain on the
Papanui property but the distribution centre land will be
subsequently sold.
Foodstuffs moved from Moorhouse Avenue to a brand new head
office and distribution centre site in Papanui in 1971. This site
has been expanded on three separate occasions, in 1989, 1993 and
1999 and presently covers 20,000 sq. m.
Foodstuffs remains committed to its very important Regional
Distribution Centre (RDC) in Dunedin.
Further information: John Mullins, General Manager Wholesale
Operations and Procurement for Foodstuffs, ph 021-838-378