Opened to a crowd of about 200 people on Wednesday, the unveiling was attended by dignitaries including IAL managing director and CEO Hiroko Yaguchi, Isuzu Motors president Masanori Katayama, the consul-general of Japan and local politicians.
The expansive HQ brings all of IAL’s local operations under one roof after previously operating out of a number of facilities in Melbourne, with IAL director and chief operating officer Phil Taylor telling GoAutoNews Premium that the move would greatly benefit the company.
“So IAL was formed as Isuzu Motors as a joint venture, 60 per cent Isuzu and 40 per cent GM back in 1989. We were in Lorimer St Port Melbourne since inception and we stayed there until this recent move,” he said.
“In November 2005, Japan bought their 40 per cent share from GM and we became IAL. We occupied the office in Lorimer St and then we had our parts distribution centre in Brooklyn in Melbourne and we also had a separate PDC (product development centre) and so on.
“So with all those local developments in four big precincts in Port Melbourne, we knew we were going to be pushed out eventually but there was motivation for us to have all of our operations under one roof so this place (new HQ) suits us perfectly.”
The building totals 21,700 square meters, 15,000 of which is taken up by a massive parts warehouse.
Other facilities on the new headquarters includes a 1700 square meter self-contained training centre with a 10-bay workshop, a 1400 square meter product development centre focusing on locally developed transport solutions, a 500 square meter front-of-house showroom and event space, 2000 square meter of offices and a 1000 square meter industrial engine development centre and workshop, which will soon include an engine dynamometer.
Overall, the facility employs 112 staff, with the new offices using ergonomic adjustable-height desks and two monitors for every computer.
Enhancing the building’s green credentials are a total of 270 solar panels installed on the roof, which can provide up to 145,000kW of power per year.
The opening of the new headquarters comes as IAL attempts to secure its 30th consecutive year of market leadership, a title it has held every year since arriving locally in 1989.
Mr Katayama said IAL’s operation serves as a benchmark for other overseas markets to follow.
“Isuzu Australia Limited has an outstanding reputation throughout Isuzu’s international network for its commitment to constant improvement and innovative transport solutions,” he said.
“In fact, we view Isuzu Australia as a model truck distributor and a great ‘test bed’ for Isuzu product.
“The research and product development work conducted here is often implemented on a global scale.”
One example of new product development work includes IAL’s joint venture with Australian EV specialist SEA Australia, to develop a pilot fleet of fully electric trucks (See separate story).
By Robbie Wallis
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