Kmart making the move to Ruakura
Superhub development on the eastern side of Hamilton confirms plans for a new 40,000 square metre distribution centre for Kmart New Zealand.
Scheduled to be operational in late-2023, the new distribution centre will service the long-term needs of Kmart’s New Zealand stores and customers in the North Island as the company relocates its distribution centre from Wiri, South Auckland.
“Moving to a larger, purpose-built facility in the high-profile Ruakura Superhub will allow us to improve availability for customers and meet future business needs, through improved productivity, reliable flow of stock to stores and shipment diversification,” says Kmart CEO, John Gualtieri.
The new facility on a 9Ha site will include warehousing, distribution, storage, a container yard, and an office facility. The site will benefit from direct access to the Ruakura Inland Port, a joint venture with Port of Tauranga.
“This new building will be one of the largest of its kind in New Zealand, spanning the area of four rugby fields, and we’ll work closely with Kmart to get the full potential from their proximity to the inland port, rail and road connections,” says Chris Joblin, Chief Executive of Tainui Group Holdings.
“Alongside other global and national players set to commence operations at Ruakura in the next 24 months, this move endorses Ruakura and the region as the home of logistics. It will bring great economic benefits for the Waikato and New Zealand.”
The new Kmart distribution centre will be developed in line with the Greenstar 4 rating. Sustainability features will include solar panels generating up to 300kw of power, rainwater harvesting, onsite stormwater treatment, electronic vehicle charging stations, bike racks and end of trip facilities. Construction of the facility will include low VOC (volatile organic compound) paints, LED lighting and double glazing. HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems will use low emission refrigerants, and close to 20% of the overall site will be landscaped.
Kmart will close its Wiri distribution centre after the Ruakura facility is operational. All existing Kmart team members at Wiri will be offered a role at the new distribution centre, which will provide more than 100 jobs when operational. Until this time, the Wiri facility will remain in operation and continue to service Kmart’s customers across its New Zealand network of 25 stores.
“Kmart is confident that, along with our Christchurch distribution centre servicing the South Island, the new DC in Hamilton will ensure the business is well-placed to efficiently service our stores and customers across New Zealand and allow for further growth,” says Mr Gualtieri.
The Ruakura Superhub, is one of the country’s largest developments and will eventually include logistics, industrial, retail, and residential areas.
Strategically located, the Ruakura Superhub has easy access to the road network between Hamilton, Auckland, and Tauranga. It is next to the newly opened SH1 dual carriageway, the key transport corridor for the Waikato region. The site is also adjacent to the Ruakura Inland Port, providing a direct freight link to the Ports of Tauranga and Auckland.
Kmart is the fifth major tenant to confirm its move to the Ruakura Superhub following PBT Express Freight Network, a Waitomo Group service centre and new coldstore/logistics facilities for both Maersk and Big Chill Distribution.