Asahi Beverages has started work on a new $150m distribution centre in south-east Queensland as part of a broader program to modernise its national supply chain network.
The facility will be built at Redbank in the City of Ipswich, west of Brisbane, and is expected to improve distribution efficiency across the company’s alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage portfolio.
Adrian Benson, Chief Supply Chain Officer, Asahi Beverages, said: “More than 97% of the beverages we sell in Australia are made by us in Australia and the investment in the new Redbank distribution centre further highlights our long-term commitment to Queensland.
“The development will help Asahi simplify our warehousing and distribution network along Australia’s east coast while delivering sustainability benefits via more efficient distribution routes.
“The investment means more customers can receive our full range of alcohol and non-alcohol beverages more efficiently with one order, one payment and delivery on one truck.”
Once operational, the site will service products including Great Northern, VB, Hard Rated, Schweppes, Pepsi Max and Cool Ridge, enabling customers to access Asahi’s full product range through a more streamlined distribution network.
The new distribution centre will incorporate advanced supply chain technology, including a high-speed shuttle system and robotics, designed to improve operational efficiency and support future growth.
The facility will be located within the Redbank Motorway Estate, an industrial precinct owned and managed by Goodman. The estate provides direct access to major freight routes throughout south-east Queensland and broader interstate transport networks.
Jason Little, CEO Australia, Goodman, said: “We’re pleased to welcome Asahi as a new, long-term customer to Redbank Motorway Estate. This site offers outstanding automation and logistics connectivity, providing the essential infrastructure needed to support Asahi’s growth and service across Queensland.”
Cr Teresa Harding, Mayor of Ipswich, added: “Ipswich is Queensland’s fastest-growing city, with Redbank Motorway Estate playing a key part in our role as a major logistics and employment centre. Council worked closely with Goodman and Asahi Beverages to assess and approve this development, which will bring new investment and job creation for our region.”
Asahi said the investment forms part of a multi-year strategy to upgrade and modernise its supply chain infrastructure.
The project is expected to create approximately 300 full-time equivalent jobs during the construction phase and is scheduled to be fully operational by 2028.
Development of the facility will be led by Goodman, with McNab appointed as builder.
Supply chain consultancy TMX Transform has supported the project through network design, property procurement and project management services.
Adam McDonald, Head of Operations, TMX Transform said: “Redbank is an excellent strategic fit for Asahi’s Queensland operations. The location gives Asahi direct access to south-east Queensland’s major freight corridors, and the scale of the site supports the automation and throughput the network needs. We’re extremely pleased to have worked closely with Asahi from the initial network design through to property procurement and now into the build phase, in what is an important milestone in their national distribution transformation.”
The build phase is expected to take approximately 18 months, followed by a 12-month automation and commissioning process. The new distribution centre will not affect any of Asahi’s manufacturing operations.
The new distribution centre marks the second in a three-part national program of distribution centres for Asahi. It follows the sod turning at Deer Park Estate in Melbourne’s west late last year, with a third facility in Sydney to start construction later this year.
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