German logistics firm DB Schenker has invested A$8.5 million to put up a modern distribution centre in Altona, south-west of Melbourne, marking the company’s 50 years in Australia.
According to a media release from Invest Victoria, the new centre is designed to cut costs and carbon emissions by harvesting rainwater and using low-emission lighting. The T5 lighting will help DB Schenker save emissions equivalent to the output of 13 residential homes annually, and save money on utilities, energy and lighting replacement parts.
“The T5 fluorescent lighting installed at Altona is one of the smartest options around as an alternative to LEDs, offering comparable energy savings and low cost replacement parts,” said Schenker Australia CEO Ron Koehler in another news release from the company.
“The new facility will also harvest rainwater to deliver significant savings similar to one of the company’s other centres at Tullamarine. We’ve made a serious commitment worldwide to being a more sustainable company and this is just one more step we’re taking.”
Victoria’s Minister for Public Transport and Minister for Roads Terry Mulder opened the eco-friendly distribution centre and applauded Schenker’s Australia state-of-the-art facility.
Mr. Mulder said supporting innovation and growth for the freight and logistics sector is a high priority for the Victorian Government and that the technology used in the new facility would deliver sustainable freight and logistics service for its customers.
Schenker Australia’s 18,000 square meter logistics centre is located close to major roads and port facilities and is the fifth largest site in local arm’s network. The facility operates eight recessed docks and has a 2000-square-metre awning, which allows transport and logistics operations to co-exist safely on the same site.
The company employs 1,200 people in its Australian operations and has customers from various sectors including the international automotive industry and its suppliers, aerospace, entertainment electronics, the retail and consumer goods industry, among others.
