Fielders Supports Woolworths’ Largest Distribution Hub

Keeping the shelves bursting with enough fresh food to feed the growing number of hungry mouths in Sydney, Canberra and regional NSW presented Woolworths with a logistical headache.

A new, strategically located and extremely extensive distribution centre was required.

After pinpointing Eastern Creek in Western Sydney as the site of this new project, planning how to turn this site into the soon-to-be world-class Woolworths Eastern Creek Chilled and Fresh Distribution Centre began.

This was when the Fielders Design Solutions Group was brought on board to help.

6000 tonnes of fresh food processed daily

The proposed state-of-the-art, 93,000sq m facility is set to become the largest multi-storey, temperature-controlled distribution centre in the Southern Hemisphere.

It’s an innovative development that will process up to 6000 tonnes of fresh produce, including meat, dairy and perishables, daily.

Equipped with advanced refrigeration and automation systems, it will ensure optimal storage conditions and streamline distribution to Woolworths stores nationwide. 

All supported by 69,000sq m of KingFlor System: KF70 1.0mm BMT Deckform Z350 

Fielders structural manager Jack Huang said, “Fielders Design Solutions Group (DSG) was involved from the early stages of the Woolworths Chilled Distribution Centre project at Eastern Creek.

“We worked closely with our client, Santana Stud Welding (the deck installer), BESIX Watpac (the builder) and Costin Roe Consulting (the structural engineer) to develop the most efficient structural solution for the suspended warehouse floors.

▲ Fielders’ precision-engineered KingFlor system supports multi-storey construction at Woolworths’ Eastern Creek megacentre.

Improved site safety with a strong, stable work surface

The KingFlor deck provides a safe work platform, not only during placement of the KingFlor components but also during concrete pouring.

Additionally, the decking also acts as a safe canopy to protect workers below from falling objects.

The mechanical interlocking of a concrete slab and embossments of KingFlor work as bottom tensile reinforcement in composite slab design, saving on concrete and reinforcement costs.

For such a large project, this is a significant consideration—financially and from a sustainability point of view.

Streamlined delivery strategy for time-critical implementation

During construction, Huang and the Fielders project execution manager (PEM) co-developed comprehensive material-delivery strategies with the client and key stakeholders to ensure JIT (just-in-time) deliveries of KF70 sheets to meet the project’s demanding construction program.

Supporting the local economy and the environment

The centre supports sustainability with energy-efficient technologies and will create numerous local jobs.

During construction alone, the project will generate more than 4000 jobs and partner up with a great number of local businesses.

Once fully operational in 2027, the facility will employ up to 700 people, greatly contributing to the Eastern Creek community.

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