Australia Post has officially opened its upgraded Sydney Parcel Facility, part of a $2 billion investment in capability across the country that will dramatically increase capacity in time for the Christmas rush.
The upgrade to the Chullora facility includes state-of-the-art equipment and technology that will double processing capacity, improve reliability, provide greater tracking and bolster employee safety. The equipment has been designed, supplied and installed by Dutch warehouse automation specialist Vanderlande.
A similar makeover at Australia Post’s Melbourne Parcel Facility at Sunshine West will be unveiled later this week, meaning businesses and consumers will benefit from a doubling of capacity and significant capability uplift in Australia’s two biggest markets.
Australia Post managing director and group chief executive officer Ahmed Fahour said the world-class expansion of Sydney Parcel Facility was one of several key proof-points demonstrating Australia Post’s commitment to meeting the changing needs of customers.
“In 2012, we announced a $2 billion investment to transform our operations so that Australian businesses and consumers could benefit from a rapidly growing ecommerce industry that now accounts for more than $15 billion a year being spent online,” Mr Fahour said.
“Australia Post provides our customers access to an unrivalled delivery and retail network in Australia. This investment will allow us to deliver significant improvements to our customer experience, with improved reliability and visibility of each parcel’s journey through our network and more delivery choice and control.
“Our expansion program has not only delivered major safety, productivity and cost improvements to our parcel service, it has more than doubled our capacity at our two largest facilities. We can now handle around 1.3 million items through these facilities per day, up from 520,000.
“Each and every parcel that enters our network in New South Wales and Victoria will benefit from the extensive upgrade and investment we have made to our truly world-class parcel service in advance of the peak Christmas period.
“Last year, we processed record parcel volumes over Christmas and we expect to do so again this year as more Australians shop online and rely on Australia Post to deliver their Christmas gifts. Residents, businesses and consumers can rest assured that we are ready and raring to go this Christmas,” said Mr Fahour.
The Sydney Parcel Facility is one of a number of sites Australia Post has upgraded as part of its $2 billion investment, which also included the full acquisition of StarTrack, extending the range of convenient delivery options, such as Australia Post’s free, 24/7 parcel lockers in over 180 locations nationally, and the introduction of Saturday deliveries in 2015.
