By Alesha Capone
A $147 million plan to expand a Truganina cold storage facility will result in around 200 jobs being created during the construction process.
Global logistics company NewCold Australia is expanding its Asia Pacific headquarters in Agar Drive to more than double its size, boosting storage capacity to 225,000 pallets.
The state government has provided funding support to the expansion project, but the amount is classified as commercial-in-confidence.
Some 200 jobs will be created during the NewCold building project and up to 50 permanent new jobs once the expansion has been completed.
Stage one of the NewCold upgrade is already underway. Already boasting one of the world’s largest automated high-bay warehouses, the facility will use the latest energy-efficient storage, cooling and distribution technology to automatically move and store products and ensure they are kept in optimal conditions.
The expanded facility, scheduled to be operational in 2022, will provide storage solutions to NewCold’s global food supply chain customers including Simplot, which supplies products to Australia’s leading supermarkets.
NewCold, which is headquartered in the Netherlands and employs 1500 staff across three continents, is a global leader in cold storage logistics, specialising in temperature-controlled warehousing and distribution.
NewCold founder and chief executive Bram Hage said today’s announcement was “a great day for NewCold and the cold storage industry in Australia”.
“It is very pleasing to see our continued investment and growth in Australia – as we expand our global presence, we support local communities to foster economic growth and create high-quality employment opportunities,” he said.
Minister for Industry Support and Recovery Martin Pakula said that Victoria was continuing to attract investment from major global companies like NewCold, generating jobs and opportunities across the state.
“Food logistics is a highly innovative sector and operations like the expanded facility being built at Truganina are right at the head of technological advancements,” he said.
