Hellmann Worldwide Logistics’ has opened its new 15,000-square-metre ambient and controlled-temperature warehousing complex and head office at Landing Drive, Auckland Airport.
The bespoke facility unites Hellmann’s two previously-separate Auckland operations into one location.
Hellmann New Zealand managing director Chris McCagney says an immense amount of collaborative planning went into creating the facility.
“A key driver was to look at the wider environment and trends, both here and particularly overseas, to understand the types of customer needs we expect to be servicing in the future and the infrastructure that requires,” says McCagney.
“We also worked to ensure we didn’t box ourselves into any corners and built in the flexibility and scale to adapt and grow as tomorrow’s requirements reveal,” he says,
“Increasingly we are seeing customers who require multiple types of infrastructure across the supply chain and to be able to obtain that from one company on a single site is a very compelling proposition,” says McCagney.
Hellmann’s planning for the ambient sector includes investments in caged storage with in-rack sprinklers for Class 2.1 aerosols, as well as storage areas for high-value goods and controlled drugs.
Cold chain investments include advanced humidity control, forced-air cooling, freezers capable of achieving -30oC, infrastructure to house NZMPI inspections, and 2oC to 8oC healthcare product chambers complete with base-isolation racking.
“We have broken new ground here, and there aren’t that many markets we can’t service from this site,” says McCagney.
“For example, in many cold stores the humidity is quite low, so produce quickly loses moisture and wilts, whereas we have the capability to control and significantly increase humidity to optimise produce life,” he says.
“At present, clients don’t necessarily fully appreciate the importance of this capability, but we expect it will progressively become a key competitive advantage,” says McCagney.
“Similarly, we have a wide range of capability through our eight different temperature zones so that we can provide pristine and closely-controlled storage for a myriad of products,” he says.
“At present, not many exporters or importers in New Zealand require -30oC cold storage, but again, we believe this will be a market niche that will expand shortly,” says McCagney.
McCagney says sustainability and minimising ozone depletion/global warming impacts were other key drivers in the build, so as to maximise the potential for customers to trade off “clean and green”.
“Our refrigeration plant utilises ammonia that has a very low carbon footprint and by installing a large air-cooled condenser, this plant requires no water or other chemicals,” he says.
“We’ve also invested in high-end electric forklifts, variable speed drives, EC fans, LED lighting and daylight harvesting to minimise power usage. The green aspect of this facility is huge, and we have also become a much more efficient business,” says McCagney.
He says no stone was left unturned in regards to managing risk and safety.
“Through high-end sprinkler systems in both the ambient and cold chain operations, any fire incident will be rapidly handled. We have swing compressors to provide backup operational capacity. There are also sensors throughout the facility as well as scrubbers and a large relief tank to handle the ammonia,” says McCagney.
“Collectively, these and numerous other measures deliver a high level of business continuity confidence. Our customers can rest assured that if we do have an issue, we will be back in business in the shortest possible time,” he concludes.
