ACCESS to renewable power for the entirety of its operations is a feature of Electrolux Group’s new facility at the Port of Brisbane.
Electrolux, a business focused on household appliances, is the first tenant to open a facility at stage-two of the Port of Brisbane’s Port West industrial estate at Lytton.
The dedicated distribution and experience centre – delivered by PBPL in collaboration with the Electrolux Group, JLL, McNab, Johnstaff, Sparc Architects and Northrop Consulting Engineers – is said to mark an important moment in the estate’s expansion as well as the port’s sustainability efforts.
The new 21,255sqm facility is on a 4.22ha site and includes warehouse space, an experience centre, a two-storey office, two storey dock office, a repair workshop as well as a hardstand/truck apron and car parking.
The facility includes rooftop solar, low-carbon concrete and a timber structure built from Glulam and Cross Laminated Timber (CLT).
According to management, it is their most sustainable development to date with Electrolux Group having access to 100% renewable power through PBPL’s embedded energy network.
Other sustainability measures include water efficiency and recycling initiatives which capture rainwater for use in bathrooms and workshop appliance testing.
The building is also part of an effort to achieve a six-star green star rating from the Green Building Council of Australia.
Additional elements include a building management system, as well as a design aimed at reducing embodied carbon wherever possible.
“[This] not only celebrates the arrival of the Electrolux Group, to Port West Stage 2 but also marks the beginning of a new benchmark in sustainability at the Port of Brisbane,” PBPL chief executive Neil Stephens said.
“We’re proud of what we’ve been able to deliver on this project, collaborating with our long-standing delivery partners to achieve both design and embodied carbon reduction outcomes that were beyond our expectations.”
Electrolux Group Australia & New Zealand managing director Kurt Hegvold said the opening of this facility “signifies another significant investment in the future of the Electrolux Group in Australia”.
“We’re ensuring our Queensland operations continue to provide amazing experiences for our consumers and customers and, importantly, an outstanding workplace for our employees,” Mr Hegvold said.
“I extend our gratitude to the Port of Brisbane, JLL and the many partners who enabled us to deliver on this project, a testament to our sustainability commitment for the future.”
The site includes an experience centre capable of hosting events for up to 150 guests, demonstrating Electrolux appliances in action with live cooking demonstrations.
The company says it has placed an emphasis on employee wellbeing for the site.
JLL Project and Development Services (PDS) Industrial Sector lead, Brian O’Connell, said Electrolux Group was clear about achieving a maximum Green Star rating, focusing on initiatives such as the procurement and use of products and materials with sustainable credentials.
“The most striking example of this was the Cross-Laminated Timber that was used in the main office and Experience Centre,” Mr O’Connell said.
“It stands out as an innovative design element in an industrial setting and it also highlights Electrolux Group’s leadership in sustainability.”
Port West is home to a growing community of global and national businesses including Bunnings, Fisher & Paykel and Steelforce.
The stage strategic location is adjacent to stage one of the estate and just six kilometres from the Port of Brisbane’s terminals.