ACFS will also manage a 'substantial amount' of Kerry Logistics’ property leasehold interests in Adelaide
ACFS Port Logistics has expanded its national operations in Adelaide with the acquisition of empty container depot operations of Kerry Logistics.
The empty container business operations will be rebranded ACFS e-Depot, with the move becoming official on October 1.
ACFS has also entered into an agreement with the Adelaide-based company to lease and manage property leasehold interests.
The arrangement will allow ACFS to relocate its transport and warehousing operations to the Gillman facility.
ACFS says the newly-acquired facility is a fully bitumen sealed facility and is approximately 27,000sqm in size, including 4,500sqm of warehousing and 40 reefer points for the handling and storage of reefers.
“This latest acquisition will complement the $10m+ investment that ACFS and its related entities are currently undertaking on the Port in Fremantle, with the site expected for completion in December 2017,” ACFS says.
ACFS CEO and MD Arthur Tzaneros says, “This completes our national footprint in all major Ports in Australia for empty container depots, but more importantly allows ACFS to integrate its service offering connecting customers to its aligned shipping lines for best cost solution outcomes”.
The company says that relocation of the transport and warehousing divisions to the Gillman facility will allow its national business model to be replicated and expanded in the Adelaide market.
“Whilst this Adelaide transaction is important in completing the national strategy, the business is looking at a pipeline of strategic opportunities and acquisitions both here and abroad for the ACFS Port Logistics Landside business,” ACFS chairman Terry Tzaneros says.
The company plans to implement efficiency in the Adelaide market for shipping lines and transport carriers, with the implementation of increased operating hours and Containerchain eGate system “as soon as practical, in addition to the investment of brand new twin pick container forklifts”.
Correction: September 27, 2017
An earlier version of this article misstated that ACFS Port Logistics has acquired Kerry Logistics. The acquistion only refers to Kerry Logistics’ empty container depot operations in Adelaide. Kerry Logistics’ other business divisions remain unaffected by this move.