This article was authored by Peter Kohn

A Welcome to Country, product demonstrations, plant tours and lots of industry camaraderie have marked the opening of Avery Dennison’s dynamic new Melbourne warehouse.

The new offices and distribution centre, at Moorabbin in Melbourne’s south-east, provides a much larger facility and space to showcase eye-grabbing wall graphics and window films.

The company said the move reflects its core values of sustainability and its goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. The new building has features designed to reduce CO2 emissions, conserve water and provide better air quality.

At the September 15 launch, event host Amy Simpson, marketing manager at Avery Dennison A/NZ, reflected, “One thing the past few years has taught us is to take the opportunity to celebrate what you can, when you can. So today we are here to celebrate with you in person the opening of our new distribution centre.”

Avery Dennison A/NZ graphics business director Jordan Leach offered a sneak peek at new non-PVC products, including vehicle wraps, soon to be released commercially. He said Avery Dennison is continuing “to drive more sustainable solutions, both in our products but also in their use”.

Avery Dennison A/NZ labels, packaging and materials commercial manager Cath Cornaggia said the new warehouse has allowed the company to have a larger facility to organise themselves more safely and efficiently.

“It’s given us the capacity to better serve our customers. The design of this facility has great environmental credentials, and we’re able to showcase our fabulous wall graphics and films. The workspaces enable us to foster more collaboration,” she said.

She also paid tribute to Avery Dennison’s site relocation committee, which masterminded the move from Oakleigh South.

Cornaggia said the new facility has state-of-the-art environmental safeguards. She pointed out the plant’s 152-kilowatt solar power system capable of fulfilling 50 per cent its energy requirements, saving an estimated 20 tonnes of CO2 emissions every month.

“The building also features rainwater harvesting tanks for water reuse in our toilets and landscaping, a catch- and-reuse smart irrigation system and energy-efficient LED lighting. Through our becoming a more efficient and less wasteful business, it has helped us offset the rising costs of manufacturing,” she said.

“By creating a positive workspace for our team, we hope to cultivate meaningful and valued interactions with our customers. Our new building will help Avery Dennison meet our 2030 sustainability goals of conserving water and reducing carbon emissions by 70 per cent.

“With the ambition of being carbon neutral by 2050. This is a building that all of us have Avery Dennison and indeed all of us in the community can feel good about.”

Avery Dennison senior technical specialist Theo Kostarakis led customers on tours of the new site, which comprises 5,000 square metres of warehouse space and 1,200 square metres of office space, with around 70 staff.

Customers were treated to product demonstrations, particularly the latest technologies in vehicle wrapping, using products such as Avery Dennison SP1504 Easy Apply.

Imparting traditional significance to the event, Uncle Mick Edwards of the Bunurong Land Council gave a Wominjeka (Welcome) address, and his son, Uncle Eric Edwards performed Indigenous music.

Teresa Laing of Mildura Print won the launch event’s door prize, a $100 voucher for a Red Balloon experience, presented to her by Amy Simpson.

Further information from this event will be released in the October issue of ProPack.pro magazine.