DB Schenker opens 21,000-square metre Erskine Park warehouse in Sydney

DB Schenker has established a major, new logistical warehouse and operations centre in Sydney, called the Erskine Park logistics centre.

The facility employs 80 people and caters to the logistics needs of some of the Asia Pacific nation's largest electronics, consumer, as well as healthcare and office supplies companies.

The 21,000-square-metre, shared logistics centre has been designed specifically for key customers and will hold close to 20,000 pallet positions. It is the fifth distribution hub in New South Wales for Schenker Australia Pty Limited. Overall, it is the group's 16th Australian facility.

"Erskine Park forms a vital link in our global chain and the opening marks an important step in our strategy of expanding our contract logistics footprint in Australia," said Schenker chairman and CEO Thomas Lieb. "In Australia, we deliver almost half a million items each year and many of them will pass through Greater Western Sydney."

Erskine Park has sustainability at the heart of its operations with substantial timber pallet, cardboard, paper and plastic recycling operations as well as a fleet of electric forklifts and trolleys. "Moving into a green-field site means we've been able to place maximum emphasis on employee safety and best practice in processes," said Schenker Australia CEO Ron Koehler.

The company said it is using the "Pick by Voice" technology to ensure efficient storage as well as reduced products handling and cut order fulfilment time and costs for the customers. The Erskine multi-user distribution centre includes plug and play technologies for different systems and for different customers backed up with its own warehouse management system to ensure flexibility.