J. H. Leavy & Co. warehouse set to go-ahead at South Gate West

A further benchmark-setting, purpose-built 5,800m² refrigerated warehouse is set to be constructed at Brisbane Markets®.

The warehouse is to be positioned on the corner of Sherwood Road and Martin Taylor Drive, on land currently used for car
parking at South Gate West, where the Saturday Fresh and Sunday Discovery weekend retail markets are held.

The facility is likely to take up to a year to build, and will include extensive cold room, ripening and methyl bromide rooms, storage
capabilities and an Australian Quarantine Inspection Serviceapproved fumigation facility featuring recaptured technology.

Brisbane Markets Limited (BML) Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Young, said J.H. Leavy & Co.’s decision to set a benchmark with the construction of the planned warehouse facility was closely aligned with his organisation’s strategic focus. “Brisbane Markets® is fast becoming noted on the international stage for its state-of-the art warehousing and distribution facilities. It is certainly another feather in our cap to be able to attract developments of this calibre,” Mr Young said. “Such recognition is the product of the BML Board’s commitment to stakeholder engagement and a concentrated site maintenance and development strategy since the horticulture industry took ownership of the site in 2002,” he said.

J.H. Leavy & Co. General Manager, Ben Bartlett, said every cold chain and technological consideration had been put into the design phase with the aim of delivering state-of-the-art facilities supported by the latest technology. “The produce industry globally is changing and with that comes the need for larger facilities that are capable of vertically integrating more of the produce supply chain and have the ability to meet and anticipate our clients’ needs ongoing,” Mr Bartlett said.

“Expanding in Queensland is important to us because of our business’ long history here. We are in Australia’s largest fresh produce production region and have a fantastic platform from which to continue our growth,” he said.

The Darling Group acquired J.H. Leavy & Co. in 2016, significantly upping its scale and capability. Darling Group Managing Director, Andrew Darling, said the development would be a significant milestone for the Group. He said it was imperative that the business add greater value to its growers’ and customers’ businesses through offering reliability of product and service.

“The new warehouse will play a significant role in enabling innovation, expansion and improving our service offerings. This
development is an exciting step towards greater opportunities for us, our growers and our clients,” Mr Darling said.

Source : Fresh Source – https://brisbanemarkets.com.au/wp-content/uploads/docs/FS67_WINTER19.pdf

Image: The architect’s rendition of the new J.H. Leavy & Co. warehouse – courtesy of J H Leavy