Perth DC

The new Blackwoods Distribution Centre in Perth has an inherent flexibility very much in keeping with the company's commitment to getting the right products to the right place within the right timeframe.

When that hefty and much anticipated new Blackwoods' catalogue landed recently, you may wonder what happens between ordering items from its 1500 product-packed colour pages and the time those workplace needs arrive at your business spot on time. It all sheets home to that modern day phenomenon, the distribution centre - of which Blackwoods has five, strategically located around Australia. Sleek, electronic and operating like clockwork, they reflect the long held Blackwoods belief that customer satisfaction is measured in no small way by the speed with which products are dispatched.

Consequently, the company spares no eff ort in maintaining, updating and when appropriate, even building anew these "hearts of their business", which support the most comprehensive stable of brands in industrial hubs coast to coast.

And build a new is just what they've done in the booming state of Western Australia where a new distribution centre (DC) four times the size of the previous one has just opened its door sat 35 Baile Road, Canning Vale.

Size Matters

Can you imagine if you combined the playing areas of both the WACA and Subiaco Oval together and filled it with the widest range of workplace and industrial supplies, just how immense the site would be? That is exactly what over 40,000 square metres of the new Blackwoods Canning Vale Distribution Centre provides in support of thousands of customers in WA. State-of-the-art warehousing technology, combined with an enthusiastic and committed team of Blackwoods employees makes the new complex the benchmark of efficient and effective distribution to the broadest range of customers. Whether a large scale mine or remote construction project, supporting our defence forces or delivering much needed products to local businesses, the team at the new distribution centre prides itself in delivering in full, on time.

"With the new enhanced 2010 Blackwoods catalogue only month sold, the timing of the new distribution centre could not have been better, we are now more determined and capable than ever to support and invest in the west and the new complex provides us a fantastic base from which to serve our customers," Blackwoods State Manager John Collyer enthused."Until construction was completed it was difficult to get a perspective of the size of the entire complex and now we can comprehend just what value added services we can incorporate under the one roof."We may have a facility larger than the WACA and Subiaco Oval but our team aims to get the runs on the board."

Built on a greenfield site , this state-of the-art DC has a sophisticated Dexion conveyor system which can handle 750 orders an hour. The RF (radio frequency)infrastructure supports 18 RF access points for 45 top-range Motorola RF identification units to streamline "picking" products off the racks for the fulfilment of customer orders, resulting in increased speed and accuracy. Eight highly advanced and environmentally friendly, high reach forklift trucks are used for this purpose, including intrinsically rated units for the 500 sqm dangerous goods (DG) store.

This is remarkable because the 13,420 sqm warehouse section contains tens of thousands of products - from nuts and bolts of myriad size to safety gear and large production equipment. One only has to browse through the vast number of product categories in the Blackwoods catalogue to gain some idea of product diversity.

Special Service

The DC also has several value adding services, like its embroidery facility where industrial clothing can be bought and embellished to a customer's corporate image needs within hours and not days or weeks. There is a 500 sqm export consolidation area to speed documentation and dispatch of products to Asian and African locations where some of Blackwoods' Australian customers have mining or construction sites.

Blackwoods Commitment

An indication of Blackwoods' commitment to the fast and efficient distribution of products to customers is the fact this new DC represents a $47 million investment. To store and facilitate the smooth flow of products from receiving dock to despatch, the conveyor system runs through the building's two-tier raised storage area, feeding 12 zones and seven sortation lanes in various parts of the building. The warehouse section has an impressive array of fittings and equipment, including:

• 3250 bays of conventional Dexion binning and 275 bays of long
  span within the two-tier raised storage area


• 4800 pallet locations at 1800mm


• 20% future expansion capability for pallet location if required


• 505 pallets within the dangerous goods storage facility which is
  licensed to hold 100,000 litres of product


• 150 double deep pallets with 1350kg capacity


• 49 bays of cantilever racking.

But the Perth DC is far more than just a conventional industrial structure. Architecturally pleasing and well landscaped, it provides visitors and employees with 240 outdoor parking places – most under aesthetically erected shade sails.

Sustainable Features

The complex also has several environmentally sustainable features. For instance, 15% of the water in its 694,000 litre, rain-sourced fire services tank is allocated to garden maintenance and its roofing has transparent sheeting for natural lighting. In addition, it has a large office space and amenities area and a 300 sqm showroom where over the counter service is provided.

"And the great thing is that we have room for expansion as and when the need arises," says Kim Cleveland. "So right now, and into the future, we are well geared to meeting our constant objective of getting the right product to the right place within the right timeframe!"

Speedy Accurate Deliveries -
Mitchell Johnson on the new DC

In his role as Blackwoods' Brand Ambassador, the company relies on Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson as he visits branches and customers and assists in communicating the Blackwoods service philosophy and particularly enforcing important messages around safety to not only the Blackwoods team but also those tradies and apprentices employed by customers.

"I am pleased to be invited to further build my association with Blackwoods which stretches back to 2006," Mitch said. "I have met customers and Blackwoods people from just about every region of Australia. It is part of my travels I really enjoy and I can even tell them I have my own JBS brand toolkit from Blackwoods at home here in WA! "I am looking forward to catching up with the Blackwoods Canning Vale team and their customers at the new distribution centre in the near future."