South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas has officially opened the new state-of-the-art 12,000 square metre CHEP Service Centre in Direk, located in the City of Salisbury, Adelaide.
This expansive 5.6-hectare facility consolidates two existing CHEP sites into one, offering comprehensive support to farmers, producers, fishers, food manufacturers, and winemakers in the southern Australian region.
The hub aims to give businesses access to CHEP’s complete range of reusable supply chain platforms, including Timber and Plastic Pallets, Reusable Plastic Containers, and Produce Bins, according to a joint media release issued by Brambles-owned CHEP and property developer Gibb Group.
Strategically situated off the Northern Expressway and North South Motorway, the purpose-built site represents a significant investment in the rapidly growing Direk business and industrial precinct.
The City of Salisbury reported that the industrial area of Direk and Burton collectively employed over 4,000 individuals and contributed more than half a billion dollars to the South Australian economy during the 2020/21 period.
Premier Peter Malinauskas emphasised that the investments made by CHEP and Gibb Group in South Australia underscore the potential for business expansion within the state.
He noted that these investments are contributing to job creation and economic development in the region.
“The new CHEP Service Centre is strategically located in the Direk industrial precinct, which is fast becoming a regional logistics hub well-connected to intermodal transport routes, delivering efficiencies and enhancing South Australia’s supply chain and logistics capabilities,” Premier Malinauskas explained.
The Direk CHEP Service Centre is the second project developed by Gibb Group for CHEP, with the first being the 10,000 square meter CHEP Service Centre in Kenwick, WA, completed in 2020.
The facility features cutting-edge repair and automation technology, including nail rollers and digital quality checkers, with the capacity to repair approximately four million pallets and wash six million bins and containers annually.
It incorporates sustainability measures such as a 250kW rooftop solar system, LED and motion sensor lighting, and a rainwater harvesting and reticulation system.
Renee Holbrook, CHEP Australia General Manager, expressed pride in the new facility, stating, “We’re incredibly proud to open CHEP’s newest facility, the Direk Service Centre. The design is centred around creating an outstanding experience for our customers through advancements in product quality, faster service speeds, and availability of CHEP’s full suite of platforms all delivered in one convenient location.”
Holbrook mentioned that the facility would enhance the overall work experience for their team members by opening up additional career prospects, fostering a remarkable working atmosphere, and contributing to the creation of 20 new employment opportunities within the local Salisbury community.
Matthew Gibb, Gibb Group CEO, acknowledged the dedication of the project team, who successfully completed the centre despite challenges in the construction industry.
“We’re pleased to have partnered with CHEP again to successfully deliver a cuttingedge building that reflects our commitment to quality and affirms both ours and CHEP’s focus on delivering market-leading services for its customers,” the CEO noted.
