Foodstuffs North Island has opened a new custom-built cross dock transport depot and warehouse in Whangarei. The facility is set to maximise delivery efficiency with goods coming directly from suppliers and the Auckland distribution centre.
The new site is a $10 million investment, with dedicated loading and unloading docks, It also features the latest supply chain technology with EV chargers, a full electronic forklift fleet and laser lights for walkways. The facility currently employs 20 team members, managed by one of Foodstuffs’ younger site managers Melissa Chapman at 25.
“A cross-dock facility is where we unload product from larger, long-distance trucks into smaller ones that are better suited to Northland’s roads and deliver to our more remote stores,” said Melissa Chapman, Depot Manager.
“The bigger trucks are great for bringing large amounts of stock up to Northland from Foodstuffs’ main distribution centres or suppliers’ warehouses, but from an efficiency, and environmental perspective, it doesn't make sense for them to do the whole trip out to each store. So, our Northland team are responsible for that last part of the distribution process as they’re closer to the community stores.”
The transport facility will support 33 Northland stores and will be shared with Gilmours Northland for food service customers.
“Having this new and improved cross-dock facility in Whangarei means even stores as far-flung as Four Square Houhora get the same service levels as central Auckland supermarkets. “It also means good service is maintained for the hospitality businesses in the area that are serviced by Gilmours,” said Chris Quin, Foodstuffs North Island CEO.
“It means that when ice cream makes it all the way up to Houhora, it’s still frozen – even in the height of Northland’s unending summers.”
