After six years of operating in Perth and two years of planning and construction, TFMXpress has moved into a long-term home in the region – and CEO Frank Ainalis says technology is at the forefront of the company’s future goals.
The purpose-built facility spans 10,000 sqm and is located in the industrial and logistics hotbed of High Wycombe east of the Perth CBD and close to key sites like Perth Airport and the Forrestfield Intermodal Terminal.
Its Perth move, in isolation, shows a company that has consistently strengthened in Australia’s most isolated capital but, from a holistic view, showcases its desire to continue to pursue a strong, national presence.
“We’re a network business, and if you want to be a true national carrier you have to have a presence in every capital city,” Ainalis tells ATN. “You can’t just be present in the eastern states.
“We’ve had a presence here in Perth for quite some time, but it’s been on smaller sites, and now this bigger site is just as important as any other site we have.
“The reason it was purpose-built was because we wanted to have a flow of freight through the place, because as the freight comes into this facility it’s scanned in, it’s sorted, and then it’s got to go out again.
“Being a purpose-built and bigger facility became important because the business has experienced substantial growth in the last five years or so, and it’s continuing to grow.
“It’s all part of the digital puzzle.”
To promote that quick transfer of freight, the new facility boasts full drive around access with loading docks on the south side and on-grade roller doors on the north side.
The planning process for this move, according to Ainalis, started about two years ago, but efficiency in construction meant the building was erected and everything was installed within 12 months of the start of construction.
“The two-year timeline was from planting the seed right through,” Ainalis continues. “The actual build time didn’t take long at all.
“I think they started in January of this year or December of last year, but it probably took 10 or 11 months to physically build.
“It’s not like a production plant where you need to put in all different types of machinery or electrical boards, it’s a warehouse with loading docks and roller doors that needed to be constructed to promote the free flow of freight through the space.
“It works for the business to be in purpose-built facilities. Now, it might not always be possible to have to sites purpose-built, but it makes sense to try and have canopies to load under, enough loading docks for the vehicles, and that sort of thing.
“Improving facilities and adding technology to the business is important in remaining competitive.
“Another example is we’ve now got bigger trucks running up the highway that can hold more capacity, so adding efficiency through movement there and then efficiency through our facilities is critical.
“It’s a very competitive market, so any technology or facility, be it new warehouses, bigger trucks or better conveyor belts, is important in remaining competitive.
“If you don’t have the technology these days, you’re just not in the race, so we’re big on that.
“But you can have all the bells and whistles in the world but not the right people in place, you’re just wasting your time.”
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