Countdown has commissioned its new $150 million Auckland Fresh Distribution Centre that will supply stores throughout the North Island. 

The 20,000sqm facility has been built alongside the factory of one of its suppliers, Hilton Meat, with which it is connected by an airbridge. For the first time, delivery trucks will be able to carry both meat and produce in the same shipment, improving efficiency and reducing carbon emissions, all the while ensuring fresh produce is kept at optimal temperatures throughout the entire supply chain. 

Designed to a 4 Green Star standard, the centre meets international sustainability standards for design, construction and operation.

Countdown’s director of property Matthew Grainger says the company has invested heavily in a future-forward design of the facility, implementing features including rainwater harvesting, electric forklifts, solar panels and low energy and water-use condensers to help it achieve its  2025 sustainability commitments. 

“The solar generation at Auckland Fresh Distribution Centre alone will offset approximately 183 tonnes of CO2 per year.”

As part of its broader sustainability commitment, Countdown has committed to zero food waste from stores ending up in landfills by 2025, a minimum 5 Green Star rating on all new buildings by 2025, and a 63 per cent reduction in emissions by 2030 (from a 2015 baseline).

The Auckland centre’s opening follows Countdown’s recent announcement of plans for a new $99 million fresh distribution centre in Rolleston, Canterbury to serve the South Island, scheduled to open in 2024.

Countdown is a subsidiary of Woolworths Australia.