Leading Australian tyre brand Bridgestone has celebrated the grand opening of its largest distribution centre to date in the country.
The purpose-built, state-of-the-art facility has been opened at the Port of Brisbane in Lytton, Queensland.
As it expands its national network, Bridgestone marked the opening with a ceremonial ribbon cutting attended by representatives from the brand and the Port of Brisbane.
The new DC offers “substantial enhancements” in safety and efficiency compared to its former Hendra site, with the site developed to expand Bridgestone’s growth in Queensland and northern NSW.
The Port of Brisbane location is set to streamline wharf-to-warehouse logistics and allows Bridgestone to dispatch its network to Bridgestone Select Tyre & Auto stores, Bridgestone Service Centres, wholesale customers and fleet business partners.
Bridgestone Australia & New Zealand managing director Heath Barclay says the opening of the Lytton DC represents the continued investment the company is making into long-term and sustainable growth.
“The opening of our new Queensland distribution centre in Lytton highlights our commitment to continuing to serve our customers in the most efficient way,” Barclay says.
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“Our investment in this state-of-the-art distribution centre, designed to meet our future needs, allows us to optimise operations, reduce downtime for our freight partners, and ensure faster delivery of tyres to our customers. Most importantly, it enables us to implement superior safety practices.”
The relocation from Bridgestone’s former Hendra location included 340 B-double freight movements that shifted 8,100 tyre stillages to the new Lytton home alongside all in-bound freights from the Port of Brisbane.
The 23,340sqm footprint is nearly double the size of the Hendra site, providing 75 per cent more stock capacity.
“Australia’s tyre needs are evolving with the trend towards larger wheel sizes and the increasing popularity of SUVs and 4x4s. This shift impacts our distribution centre operations, which we have taken into account in the design of our new Queensland distribution centre,” Barclay says.
The extra space is also set to allow for safer workflows with dedicated operational zones for metro and regional dispatch staging, as well as a “significantly improved” traffic management plan.
Bridgestone Australia & New Zealand general manager of supply chain and health, safety and environment Andrew Romano says the Lytton DC sets “a new benchmark” for process and safety.
“Bridgestone has always had a commitment to safety, and the provisions we have made in the development of this new distribution centre are best practice for the industry. This site is the benchmark for safe operations, and efficiency,” he says.
Equipped with telescopic conveyor belts to unload inbound containers, Bridgestone plans to enhance operations by installing automated guided vehicle (AGV) forklifts.
The site also features access to 100 per cent renewable power for its operations courtesy of the port.
Port of Brisbane CEO Neil Stephens has welcomed Bridgestone to the port community.
“We worked closely with Bridgestone Australia to understand its business and are pleased to have delivered a tailored, turnkey solution for its Queensland Distribution Centre, mobilising quickly to deliver a facility that will support Bridgestone’s operations now and into the future,” Stephens says.
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