AUTOCARE has leased a 10-hectare property from the Port of Brisbane in an expansion of its logistics services that will allow it to process an additional 5500 vehicles a year, up from 2300 now.

The move, which has an option of a further five hectares, will also mean more employment opportunities at Autocare and better cost efficiencies for its automotive customers.

Autocare, part of LINX Cargo Care Group, signed a 10-year agreement with the port that will complement its current facilities across the water on Fisherman Islands.

The new storage facility at Australia’s busiest capital city port will allow Autocare to add 5500 motor vehicles a year to its 600,000 vehicle a year business, and bring with it cost savings in storage and improve delivery times to dealerships.

Port of Brisbane CEO Roy Cummins said the Autocare facility would include large pavement areas, eight hectares of hail mesh and a wash bay facility provided by the port’s property team with civil construction group BMD.

“The Port of Brisbane and Autocare already have a productive commercial relationship dating back to 2006,” he said.

“Their facilities on Fisherman Islands will now be complemented by this massive expansion in the Port West estate, giving Autocare more flexibility for their operations in close proximity to the wharves and terminals where their vehicles arrive.

“The Port West estate has become one of the most sought-after industrial addresses in south-east Queensland, so to have signed a deal of this magnitude with one of our key customers is extremely pleasing.

“Following a suite of deals in the in the past 18 months, the Port has welcomed Stora Enso, Queensland Glass, Steelforce and now Autocare to Port West.

“There is still significant interest in Port West given its supreme logistical advantages close to the Port of Brisbane quayline and all major road networks, as well as the tailored, professional approach offered by the Port’s Property team.”

Autocare CEO Victor Tello said expanding the company’s finished vehicle logistics services would increase support for the local economy while providing its national customers with secure handling, cost savings and improved transit times.

“The Australian automotive industry will benefit from the extra storage and processing options our world-class facility will offer, which combines location and advances in technology to deliver high quality, reliable vehicle handling solutions,” he said.

Autocare manages more than a million vehicle movements a year, processes more than 600,000 vehicles and has storage for 80,000 vehicles.

By Neil Dowling