Amazon is set to expand its position in the Australian market with the opening of a robotics fulfilment centre in Western Sydney late next year.
The 200,000sqm state-of-the-art facility, which is already under construction at Goodman’s Oakdale West Industrial Estate, will house up to 11 million items and will see staff work alongside the retail giant’s most advanced robotics technology to deliver a “smarter, faster and more consistent experience for its customer”.
Robots will help speed up the processing time of orders by moving shelves to workers, saving them time on stowing items for sale and picking products for orders.
Craig Fuller, director of operations at Amazon Australia, said the fulfilment centre will allow the retail giant to expand its presence in Australia and provide a better experience for customers.
“The Amazon Robotics fulfilment centre will more than double our operational footprint in Australia, enhance efficiency and safety for our associates while ultimately providing customers with wider selection and faster delivery,” Fuller said in a statement on Tuesday.
“This investment will also benefit the 10,000 plus small & medium sized businesses who utilise Fulfilment By Amazon to seamlessly service customers across the country.”
Amazon expects the centre will provide more than 1500 jobs, the majority of which will be permanent full time roles, in areas such as IT, HR and robotics professionals. Staff will be given comprehensive benefits such as subsidised healthcare and up to 20 weeks maternity pay.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres attended a press conference on Tuesday morning to unveil the project. He said the centre will contribute to local workforce development and provide skilled employment in areas like robotics, logistics and supply chain.
“It will also help build our local e-commerce sector, giving small and medium-sized businesses access to Amazon’s packing, shipping, customer service and returns capabilities, along with easier access to millions of customers across Australia and the world,” Ayres said.
Amazon is working with Goodman Group and its JV partner Brickworks on the construction of the facility, which is expected to be completed in late 2021.
Earlier this month, Amazon announced its fourth fulfilment centre in Australia which will begin operating in Lytton, Brisbane before the year end.
