AUTOCARE Services, Australia’s biggest auto transport, logistics and storage company, has completed the consolidation of its Port of Brisbane properties which were opened at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Radar Street, Lytton, operation this week.

The new off-wharf storage area was acquired from the port authority under lease in October last year.

The new area of 11,200 square metres will house about 4500 vehicles.

As previously reported, it consolidates Autocare Services’ Brisbane operations from five locations into one and sits closer to the interchange of major Brisbane freeways and specifically offers quick access to the dealerships on the south coast and inland.

Eddie Glennon, manager of Autocare Services Queensland, told GoAutoNews Premium: “The most significant advantage is the consolidation of sites.”

Autocare Services has been operating from multiple uncovered satellite sites on the island on the Port of Brisbane. The company now has one site under mesh that can be used for storage across multiple customers.

Mr Glennon said the site was also logistically well placed for access to the south-east Queensland dealer network serviced by Autocare Services as opposed to being out on the port itself.

“We are now in a position to support our customers with an off-wharf storage solution, not only logistically but commercially,” he told GoAutoNews Premium.

Mr Glennon said that logistically the new operation was closer to customer dealerships and that Autocare Services could now fill orders in a faster timeframe.

Commercially, because it is off-wharf, Autocare services is able to offer its customers savings and more competitive storage pricing.

The new Radar Street facility incorporates processing, storage and transport. Autocare Services does some processing of the cars after they have left the ship, including compliance plate fixing, removing wraps, if required, and washing before delivery to the dealers.

This processing was previously performed across multiple sites on the island.

“That was one of the inefficiencies that we were looking to rectify,” Mr Glennon said. “We have had to bring those vehicles into multiple locations to do that actual work whereas now a significant number of the cars will all be in one place in this off-wharf storage facility where we will be able to do the extra work required.

“The satellites were a mixture of sizes. Some were as small as 500 vehicles, with others up to 1100 vehicles. It certainly allows the closure of those smaller, less efficient sites.”

The company has now left the multiple satellite sites.

Mr Glennon said that the location of the new facility beside the Brisbane River has provided Autocare Services with an edge in the market.

“In terms of access to the dealer network it places us in a strong position,” he said.

Autocare Services delivers more than 500,000 vehicles from ships to dealerships using a fleet of about 300 trucks. It also customises vehicles for OEMs and fleets before delivering them to dealerships.

Port of Brisbane CEO Roy Cummins said the port was pleased to work closely with Autocare Services to support its future growth by constructing purpose-built facilities that have created logistics efficiencies and increased the flexibility of its operations.

“Our Port West estate is one of the most impressive industrial precincts in the region with unrivalled road connectivity and 7km to the Port’s wharves and terminals. We’re delighted to welcome Autocare to Port West and look forward to continuing to work together well into the future,” he said.

By John Mellor