Market news, 22 July 2024
Kirby and Beijer Ref Australia have committed to a 10-year lease on a new $48 million purpose-built industrial property at Altitude, Bankstown Airport, NSW. The Beijer Ref Australian businesses have partnered with specialist property and supply chain firm TM Insight on the design, property procurement and delivery of the new facility. The development is managed by Altis Property Partners, and owned by Bankstown Airport Limited.
The new 22,000-square-metre purpose built manufacturing and distribution centre on Tower Rd, Bankstown Airport will be situated on a 40,000-square-metre site area. It will include 1,400-square-metres of office space for both business's Australian headquarters.
Paul Campbell, Director of Operations at Kirby, says, “This new facility will help us to deliver our business strategies and objectives in Australia, acting as our main manufacturing facility, distribution centre and corporate headquarters.”
“We needed a proven technical partner who could guide us from design and concept to commissioning, and moving in. TM Insight’s experience in end-to-end design, property procurement and delivery solution helped us bring our vision to life,” he adds.
Kirby and Beijer Ref Australia worked alongside TM Insight to review their operational requirements, design a bespoke supply chain solution and select the location for the new site. TM Insight will now project manage the building of the new facility with Altis Property Partners.
The new purpose-built facility will revolutionise Kirby and Beijer Ref Australia’s operations and propel both into the future as they upgrade from Kirby’s current campus-style premises in Milperra, which was built in the 1960s. Bankstown Airport is a prime location for the business, due to its close proximity to the M5 and M7 motorways and local amenities.
The new development will enhance the service offer to customers and allow for greater operational efficiencies by consolidating the workplace into a single building with sustainable practices.
Key features of the new distribution centre include a 5-star green star design, which will include a 250 kilowatt solar panel installation and a 50,000 litre rainwater harvesting system.
Lee de Winton, CEO Sydney Metro Airports said she was delighted to welcome Kirby and Beijer Ref Australia to the new Altitude Precinct. This is part of the airport strategy to grow employment in the area to meet the needs of the vibrant, expanding Western Sydney community.
Joseph Ajaka, Project Director at Altis Property Partners, says, “We are excited to kick off Altitude with Kirby, a brand with strong ties to the South Western industrial market, that will take advantage of being located within the inner ring of Sydney”.
Kirby was acquired by Beijer Ref AB in May 2018. The new facility will be one of Beijer Ref’s global showpieces, and is expected to be operational by November 2020.
