MHD WAREHOUSING
STATE-OF-THE-ART STORAGE
Global earthmoving and mining equipment manufacturer Komatsu recently built a new DC in Queensland, with BHD Storage Solutions playing an essential role in the project’s success. MHD finds out more.
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omatsu is an internationally renowned global manufacturer and distributor of earthmoving and mining equipment. Naturally, given the importance of Australia’s mining sector – and Queensland’s in particular – it made sense for Komatsu Australia to build a new distribution centre (DC) that could cater to the evolving needs of local industry, in keeping with one of Komatsu’s core company values: collaboration. A vital component of the new DC is the storage solution implemented by BHD Storage Solutions. But before we get there, it’s important to explore why this new DC is so important. Recently, MHD spoke with Hennie Van Der Merwe, Komatsu’s General Manager of Warehousing at the new state-ofthe-art 17,000m2 warehouse and DC in Wacol, Brisbane. Hennie was responsible for the delivery of the new DC – from conception to its completion as a fully integrated operating facility. As such, he
Hennie Van Der Merwe, General Manager of Warehousing, Komatsu.
is well placed to provide an overview of the new centre’s capabilities. “The $50 million Distribution Centre is a strong demonstration of Komatsu’s commitment to supporting and servicing their customers’ growth in Queensland, the Northern Territory, and northern New South Wales,” Hennie says. “With the wide range of machines in the mining industry comes a wide range of components,” he says. “This warehouse houses 55,000 SKUs at
80,000 locations. Parts are available ranging from O rings – that are half the size of a $2 coin – up to 25-tonne ring gears for electric dump trucks. The warehouse processes 45,000 lines per month, either being despatched or received as stock. This facility forms part of Komatsu’s global network of manufacturing and supply chain warehouses.” Hennie says that the omnichannel management order process is integrated
The warehouse houses 55,000 SKUs at 80,000 locations.
18 | MHD APRIL 2022
