NEWS
NEW DISTRIBUTION CENTER FOR GPC ASIA PACIFIC Construction of the facility commenced in January 2022 with completion due for Q1 2023 GPC Asia Pacific has announced a partnership with leading Asia-Pacific logistics specialist, LOGOS, to build an advanced 39,000sqm distribution center in the new Broadmeadows Logistics Estate in Melbourne. GPC Asia Pacific is an automotive parts business which includes Repco, NAPA Auto Parts, AMX, McLeod’s, Rare Spares, and Sparesbox, with a store 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, with TMX now assisting GPC in procuring its new sites and project managing the developments. 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 Executive General Manager Logistics, Jon Longbottom, said.
“As a business, we’ve experienced significant growth over the past three years, and we look forward to integrating advanced technologies within a new state-of-the-art facility in Melbourne to improve 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 better support and 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.” 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. “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.
The new GPC distribution center is the third commitment at the Estate and will comprise circa 39,000sqm of high quality and efficient space, and integrated state-of-the-art technology. “We are proud to be supporting GPC in its Australian supply chain network transformation. This new facility will offer an automated ‘goodsto-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. For more information, visit www.repco.com.au or www.gpcasiapac.com
ARNOTT ACQUIRES JRI SHOCKS
The combination of Arnott and JRi Shocks will bring air suspension products to a wider range of customers Arnott – which says it is a global leader in the development and production of air suspension products for passenger vehicles – recently announced that it has acquired JRi Shocks.
Arnott to offer the best aftermarket replacement air suspension, the leading air suspension management system, as well as some of the best performance shocks in the world.”
The acquisition enables Arnott to expand its industry-leading air suspension product portfolio within the SEMA performance market to reach additional customers including street cars, Jeep vehicles, trucks, motorcycles and UTVs.
Arnott says JRi Shocks is well known for its shock absorber technology, which has a history of championship performance in various forms of motorsports.
JRi Shocks will continue to serve its existing markets and customers but will now be better positioned to grow those markets even further while also expanding into new ones. Customers should see no change in the day-to-day operations of the business. “Arnott has exceptional engineering capabilities and has a reputation for producing highperformance products,” Arnott Chief Executive Officer, Joe Santangelo, said.
Founded in 2007 by Jeff Ryan, the company was co-owned by Jeff, Det Cullum and NASCAR Hall of Fame crew chief and team owner Ray Evernham at the time of the acquisition. Jeff will stay on to continue managing all engineering activities for the company, while Det and Ray will remain involved with the company in advisory roles.
point where our growth potential was being held back by the resources we had at hand. We needed a partner to take the company to the next level,” Ray said.
“The last few years we have focused on expanding our world class racing products, allowing more enthusiasts to experience JRi Shocks,” Jeff said.
“Arnott’s enthusiasm for what JRi stands for and its track record of leading companies to extraordinary growth made Arnott the perfect fit to become that partner. I look forward to continuing to support the company’s growth.”
“AccuAir, added to the Arnott portfolio last year, provides the leading air suspension management system on the market today.
“It was a natural progression of our expertise and now we will be able to take it even further under the Arnott umbrella.”
“Bringing JRi Shocks into the fold enables
“After three years of owning JRi, we arrived at a
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Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine February 2022
For more from Arnott, go to www.arnottindustries.com
