Toll Group has unveiled a plan to build a state-of-the-art retail distribution centre in collaboration with apparel retailer, Specialty Fashion Group (SFG).
The 32,000 square metre hub will be fitted with advanced automation technologies to enable fast and efficient distribution to customers, and is one of the first in Australia specifically designed to cater for the growing ecommerce market.
Toll and SFG, which with six brands is the largest specialty retailer of women’s fashion in Australasia, worked closely to design a centre that would meet the demands of the retailer’s recent growth and support its continual focus on improving omnichannel delivery including online and ‘click and collect’ ordering.
“Our aim at Toll is to connect people and products, and we look forward to working with SFG to enable a fast, efficient and cost effective supply chain for its customers,” says Toll managing director, Brian Kruger.
The facility will be built by Logos Group Australia at the Prestons Logistics Estate, Sydney, and will enable SFG to get products to stores and customers faster than ever before.
“Currently, SFG sells a garment a second in Australia,” says Gary Perlstein, SFG CEO. “We have worked with Toll to create a supply chain solution that enables our omni-channel strategy across all brands for a streamlined and memorable customer experience.”
Technologies at the facility will include a multi-shuttle tote storage system; goods-to-person pick stations; automated and ergonomic ecommerce processing stations; automatic carton optimisation machines; and a tier one warehouse management system.
These will enable the site to manage high volumes efficiently and quickly, despatching products for faster delivery and reducing overall costs per unit.
The facility will employ around 120 warehouse operators and is expected to despatch more than 90 million units annually.
Construction is expected to be completed in October 2017.