Garmin makes Sydney Business Park home to new DC

US-based multinational technology company Garmin has signed a 10-year lease for a purpose-built distribution centre (DC) in Marsden Park, Sydney.

The $45m facility at Sydney Business Park will be partially operational from September 2022 and expected to be fully operational from early 2023. The facility features 12,036 sqm of warehouse space and 1,320 sqm of corporate office space.

Founded in 1989 and headquartered in Kansas City in Missouri, USA, Garmin boasts more than 17,000 employees across 80 offices worldwide and its GPS and wearable technology products are sold all over the world.

With strong demand for lifestyle and fitness products throughout the pandemic, in July this year Garmin reported double digit growth across all five of its core markets of automation, aviation, marine, outdoor and fitness products.

This included 40 per cent growth in fitness, driven by high demand for cycling and advanced wearable products, and 57 per cent growth in outdoor segments, driven by increased demand for adventure watches.

This new facility at Marsden Park will see the global tech manufacturer double its footprint in Australia, as it expands its retail and e-commerce and fulfilment operation from a 6,000 sqm facility in Eastern Creek, Sydney and represents Garmin’s commitment to long-term growth in Australasia.

The purpose-built DC at Sydney Business Park will serve as Garmin’s online fulfilment centre as well as service its traditional bricks and mortar retail partners in Australia. The global tech manufacturer will install a very narrow aisle (VNA) racking solution to improve cubic capacity and increase storage density at the 13,356 sqm facility.

Home to Linfox, Dulux, IKEA, Bunnings and ASICS, the award-winning Sydney Business Park is located in Sydney’s rapidly growing North West Region and features a wide range of amenities including supermarket, child care, medical centre, gymnasium, cafes and eateries, and the 90,000 sqm homemaker and trade centre.

With close proximity to the M7 motorway and convenient and efficient access to Sydney’s road, rail and port network as well as public transport connectivity, Sydney Business Park is located in Marsden Park, which is only 35 minutes from the Sydney CBD.

“We’ve been on a very steep growth trajectory since the pandemic prompted a technology-driven fitness revolution and people around the world found creative and safe ways to keep moving,” said Matthew Thomas, General Manager at Garmin Australia.

“By expanding our footprint in Australia, this new facility at Sydney Business Park will allow us to focus on continuing to meet the growing demand for our products and services throughout the country,” Thomas said.

“Our staff have been a key consideration in choice of location and we looked to provide a more comfortable and pleasant workplace as well as proximity to amenities such as food and shopping,” he said.

He continued that sustainability played a key part, including significant solar capability and energy saving initiatives in the DC’s design.

Garmin partnered with business transformation consultancy TMX on procuring this pre-lease site. TMX will project manage the delivery of the development on behalf of Garmin and alongside Sydney Business Park.

“We’re delighted to have secured this new facility for Garmin at Sydney Business Park to support the leading tech manufacturer’s growth and expansion plans in Australia,” said Nick Greenwell, Director of Property at TMX.

“As the fitness craze continues, Garmin is well-placed to meet growing consumer demand and improve speed to market by fulfilling both e-commerce and instore orders from this world-class distribution centre in Marsden Park,” Greenwell said.

“We’re thrilled that Garmin selected Sydney Business Park to accommodate its new distribution centre and corporate office,” said Matt Foldes, Sale & Leasing Director at Sydney Business Park who negotiated the lease.

“Having Garmin as the next blue chip tenant to relocate to the estate is a fantastic outcome and has already assisted with generating interest from other quality tenants who are keen to make the move to Marsden Park,” Foldes said.

Source: TMX