Asahi Beverages has turned the first sod on a $150 million distribution centre at Redbank, south-east Queensland, the second site in a three-part national program to modernise its supply chain network.
The facility, on the outskirts of Ipswich, will use a high-speed shuttle system and robotics to consolidate Asahi’s full alcohol and non-alcohol range, from Great Northern, VB and Hard Rated to Schweppes, Pepsi Max and Cool Ridge, into a single warehousing and distribution operation for Queensland.
It follows the sod turning at Goodman’s Deer Park Estate in Melbourne’s west late last year, with a third facility in Sydney to begin construction later this year.
The build phase is expected to take around 18 months, followed by a 12-month automation and commissioning process, with the site fully operational by 2028. Construction will create approximately 300 full-time equivalent jobs. McNab has been appointed builder, with TMX Transform supporting network design, property procurement and project management. The development will not affect any of Asahi’s manufacturing operations.
The investment adds to a growing concentration of beverage operations in the Ipswich and south-west Brisbane corridor. Suntory Oceania officially unveiled its $400 million Swanbank multi-beverage manufacturing facility in Ipswich last July, while Coca-Cola Europacific Partners has invested close to $100 million in upgraded and new can lines at its Richlands production and distribution hub, one of 20 CCEP-managed sites in Queensland.
Asahi Beverages chief supply chain officer, Adrian Benson, said the investment showed the company’s commitment to Queensland.
“More than 97 per cent of the beverages we sell in Australia are made by us in Australia and the investment in the new Redbank distribution centre further highlights our long-term commitment to Queensland,” Benson said.
“The development will help Asahi simplify our warehousing and distribution network along Australia’s east coast while delivering sustainability benefits via more efficient distribution routes.
“The investment means more customers can receive our full range of alcohol and non-alcohol beverages more efficiently with one order, one payment and delivery on one truck.”
The site is targeting a 5 Star Green Star rating, with 1MW of solar, native landscaping and 50,000 litres of rainwater collection tanks for reuse in irrigation and amenities.
Goodman CEO Australia, Jason Little, said, “We’re pleased to welcome Asahi as a new, long-term customer to Redbank Motorway Estate. This site offers outstanding automation and logistics connectivity, providing the essential infrastructure needed to support Asahi’s growth and service across Queensland.”
Ipswich mayor, Teresa Harding, said the council had worked closely with Goodman and Asahi to assess and approve the development.
“Ipswich is Queensland’s fastest-growing city, with Redbank Motorway Estate playing a key part in our role as a major logistics and employment centre,” Harding said.
“With more than 2500 jobs already created across the estate, this project strengthens Ipswich as a destination of choice for the industrial and logistics sector in south-east Queensland.”
