Empire expanding
QUEENSLAND Forklifts is investing $2.5 million in a purpose-built warehouse at Empire Industrial Estate.
The Queensland Forklifts deal comes on the back of $36 million in land sales in the past year at the Yatalabased development.
It is being rolled out by the Stephens Group on a 127ha site, with frontage to Peachey Rd.
Director Tony Stephens said the estate is garnering interest from international groups as larger sites become available.
“We are almost sold out of stage five, which offers 3000sq m lots for small-tomedium-size businesses looking to design and construct their own office or warehouse,” he said.
“We are now moving to stage six, which has larger lots of up to 7000sq m available, and we have the capacity to amalgamate lots to offer upwards of 70,000sq m.”
He said that was the reason the estate has caught the eye of some large international groups, with which it is currently in negotiations.
Queensland Forklifts secured a 2900sq m site for $890,000, and is investing another $1.6 million with Lory Constructions to construct a 1350sq m warehouse with an additional 300sq m of office space.
Director Laurie Harper said the shift to Empire follows strong growth since the company was established in 2010.
“We started very small but have grown quickly, which I believe can be attributed to our diverse offering — including all types of material handling products in rental, sales and service,” he said. “We are already based in Yatala but have made the decision to move across to Empire because it has superior access to the M1 Motorway and I am impressed by the calibre of businesses moving to the estate.
“We plan to be operating out of our new facility by August.” Mr Stephens said he has noticed a growing number of businesses relocating to Empire from within the Yatala region.