Woolworths‘ unveils $135M Melbourne Fresh Distribution Centre

Woolworths Group’s supply chain arm Primary Connect announces Thursday, 5 November, the opening of its new Melbourne Fresh Distribution Centre (MFDC) in Truganina.  

The next generation supply chain facility will be used to conduct faster and more efficient delivery of fresh fruit, vegetables, meat and chilled products to more than 230 Victorian supermarkets fresh.  

The 38,000sqm facility was constructed beginning last year, providing around 200 jobs throughout the construction. It will also provide employment to over 400 Melburnians, including many from the local area, and process around 1.5 million cartons per week from more than 500 fresh food suppliers. 

Through an automated bridge, the MFDC is linked with Woolworths’ meat supplier Hilton Foods Australia’s production facility.  

“The importance of a strong, responsive and resilient fresh food supply chain has come into sharp focus during the pandemic,” Justin Dowling, Supply Chain General Manager for Southern Region, Primary Connect.  

“This state-of-the-art distribution centre will take our supply chain to the next level – allowing us to get fresh food into our stores much faster for our customers. The opening is a welcome boost for local employment and will help us deliver what is expected to be our busiest Christmas ever,” Downling said.  

“The site has the latest in banana and avocado ripening technology, along with world-class refrigeration systems to ensure top product quality and freshness on the shelf,” he said 

Dowling added that a fully integrated warehouse and transport management system will also help reduce freight movements as they optimise inbound and outbound deliveries. He said this will not only reduce the lead time for fresh food deliveries to stores, but also help cut our carbon footprint. 

State Member for Tarneit Sarah Connolly said that to have this site open in Wyndham today is great news for our community. She said it will help generate local job opportunities, especially at a time when we know job security is so important for our local families. 

The opening of the MFDC will take around 600 truck movements off the West Gate each week as Truganina is located closer to more Woolworths suppliers than Mulgrave. The co-location with Hilton Meats will take a further 3,000 truck movements off Melbourne roads yearly as it eliminates shuttle runs between Mulgrave and Truganina. 

The MFDC is also targeting a Five Star Green Star rating from the Green Building Council of Australia, with a solar panel system on the roof, charge points for electric trucks, and fuel savings of more than 400,000 litres each year from transport efficiencies.  

Landowner Charter Hall has a majority funding in the new MFDC, with Woolworths signing an initial 15-year lease on the site.  

Source: Woolworths Group