Ford Australia has announced it will open a new distribution centre that will be one of the largest automotive parts distribution centres in Australia, marking the biggest investment in the motor company’s parts business in 60 years.
Located at Merrifield Business Park in Mickleham, Ford’s new parts distribution facility is its fifth Victorian location investment.
This is the latest in a raft of improvements by Ford that are designed to set the company up for its next phase of growth and cater to customers’ changing needs, such as requirements related to electrified vehicles.
It also follows Ford’s recent investments in its Broadmeadows product development centre, new Innovation Hub, and the expansion of its world-class Design Centre.
Kay Hart, President & CEO, Ford Australia and New Zealand, said the move was an important step in continually improving service for customers and dealers.
“Our focus is on giving our customers the best experience possible, and that means making sure we have an efficient parts supply system for both our dealers and Ford owners,” she said.
“With space and great transport infrastructure links, this new site will enable us to store and quickly distribute the parts we need for the current and future generations of vehicles, including electrified vehicles.”
The new built-for-purpose site, located at the Merrifield Business Park in Mickleham, is secured under a long-term lease and will be fully operated by Ford staff.
The site measures 87,691m2, and will include a 50,000m2 purpose-built distribution centre, and feature a 5 Star Green Energy rating, super awning, and 14.6m clearance height. With the site’s direct access to key rail, road and airport infrastructure, it provides the Ford Customer Service Division (FCSD) an ideal base for its logistics hub.
Operations at the facility are expected to begin in late-2021 and will operate alongside Ford’s existing sites in Victoria, supporting the company’s 2,000+ workforce located at Broadmeadows, Richmond, Geelong and the You Yangs Proving Ground.
Australia is a key product development hub for Ford, with the company investing more than $1.9 billion in research and development in Australia between 2016-19.
According to For Australia, the company has more than $500 million of investment is planned for 2020.
