Significant expansion for Toyota
Toyota New Zealand has confirmed its Palmerston North base is undergoing significant expansion.
Theprocess of adding 11,000 square metres to the company’s existing 24,000sqm warehouse on the corner of Mihaere Drive and Roberts Line, in Kelvin Grove, has already begun.
Earthwork crews have been busy for much of January preparing the land, already owned by the company, after trees were removed from the area adjacent to the warehouse in December.
General manager of parts and service Spencer Morris said the project was required to keep up with the record vehicle and parts sales figures the company has recorded over the past 15 years.
Toyota’s accessories and parts sales topped $140 million nationwide in 2017.
‘‘We have also reviewed the internal layout of the warehouse and will be implementing improvements on completion of the project to further advance our safety and efficiency in supplying our network with parts,’’ Morris said.
It is the third expansion of the Kelvin Grove base in 15 years, following work in 2003 and 2007.
There are 30 staff employed at the warehouse, up 30 per cent since the company’s first expansion.
Morris said the additions were expected to be completed during the third quarter of 2018.