NEWS
GPC ASIA PACIFIC TO BUILD NEW ADVANCED DISTRIBUTION CENTRE
The new centre will be located in the Broadmeadows Logistics Estate in Melbourne GPC Asia Pacific has announced a partnership with leading Asia-Pacific logistics specialist, LOGOS, to build a 39,000sqm distribution centre in the new Broadmeadows Logistics Estate in Melbourne. GPC Asia Pacific says it is Australia’s leading Automotive Parts business and includes Repco, NAPA Auto Parts, AMX, McLeod’s, Rare Spares, and Sparesbox with a network of over 550 stores servicing retail and automotive trade customers across Australia and New Zealand. GPC partnered with business transformation consultancy TMX on its regional Australia and New Zealand supply chain network strategy and operational design. The brand-new facility in Broadmeadows will feature best-in-class logistics operations and state of the art automation technology, supporting GPC Asia Pacific’s position as a leader in the market, as well as ambitious future growth plans. “We’re delighted to have secured a new facility at LOGOS’ Broadmeadows Logistics Estate,” GPC Asia Pacific Chief Supply Chain Officer, Jon Longbottom, said.
“As a business, we’ve experienced significant growth over recent years, and we look forward to integrating advanced technologies within a new state-of-the-art facility in Melbourne to enhance our customers’ experience. “By partnering with LOGOS and TMX, we have been able to race ahead with our ambitious growth plans with confidence. “Our new Broadmeadows Distribution Centre will feature the cutting-edge technology and operations, that will allow us to better support our stores, resulting in greater service to our entire customer base. “We are excited at the opportunities this brings for our Business, and the investment signals just how committed we are to the future success of the Automotive Aftermarket.” “We look forward to working with GPC Asia Pacific to deliver this important new facility and support their growth across Victoria, and all of Australia,” LOGOS Head of Australia and New Zealand, Darren Searle, said. “We are proud to be supporting GPC in their ANZ
supply chain network transformation. This new facility will offer an automated Goods-to-Person shuttle and Very Narrow Aisle storage system, which will boost cubic capacity across GPC’s wide product range and support their future growth strategy,” TMX Director of Property, Sam Dellios, said. Broadmeadows Logistics Estate is a 25-hectare premium site which on completion, will comprise circa 127,000sqm of sustainable, high quality warehousing space across five facilities. The new GPC distribution centre is the third commitment at the Estate and will comprise circa 39,000sqm of high quality and energy efficient space, with integrated state-of-the-art technology. Construction of the facility commenced in April 2022, with completion due for Q1 2023. For more information, visit www.gpcasiapac.com
UFI FILTERS STRENGTHENS ITS ANTI-COUNTERFEITING MEASURES More than 2.5 million illegal transactions have been intercepted so far UFI Filters, a leading company in filtration and thermal management technologies, is continuing its fight against counterfeit spare parts by tightening its surveillance measures and extending its Internet Business Intelligence activity globally in partnership with Convey, a leading company operating on the internet and brand protection services sector.
Since 1972, UFI Filters says it has been committed to protecting its products through the registration of trademarks and the filing of new patent applications (which number 268 to date) on the main world markets and through customs surveillance – that is, through the registration of the Group’s intellectual property assets with the customs authorities of the individual countries.
The monitoring activities have reportedly resulted in the interception of more than 2.5 million illegal transactions on the main marketplaces worldwide.
These measures have been further strengthened through specific training sessions delivered at the most sensitive customs agencies.
UFI Filters says the system for monitoring and supressing these illicit activities enables them to be nipped in the bud, thus minimising the risk of a further increase in unlawful transactions.
UFI Filters says relying on a manufacturer like UFI with a long-standing historical presence in the original equipment market provides an additional guarantee, enabling the customer to be sure that the product has been developed in order to maintain the highest standards, even in conditions that are more severe than those required by the regulations.
Thanks to an ever-expanding surveillance service which covers all marketplaces globally, UFI Filters has succeeded in removing more than 8,000 commercial advertisements posted on 33 e-commerce platforms, preventing a potential turnover of more than €5 million in counterfeit goods. 14
Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine May 2022
UFI Filters says its products are designed and produced using exclusive FormulaUFI filtering materials, and are conceived, developed, and
manufactured to a high technological level to meet the highest standards. On the other hand, substandard or even counterfeit filters which use unsuitable materials do not perform their function or do so inappropriately. For this reason, UFI Filters warns that buying a poor-quality product to save money can seriously compromise the fuel injection system, leading to the risk of increased vehicle downtime and related financial losses, especially for those who use their vehicle for work. For more information, visit www.ufifilters.com
