Smeg Australia managing director, Wayne Campbell was joined by former Smeg global export director and current Smeg brand ambassador, Emer Zavaroni and Smeg director, Paolo Romani, to cut the ribbon and officially open the company’s new Sydney warehouse.
Smeg has moved its warehousing operations to a larger purpose-built facility in Ingleburn in Sydney’s south-west with both efficiency and sustainability at the forefront.
Leveraging the opportunity to improve systems and processes for a higher throughput, the warehouse is 12,000 square metres in size, making it 40% larger than the former Botany premises, and two metres higher.
There are eight bays and six loading docks allowing greater efficiency and easier loading and unloading of goods for both local and interstate deliveries. The Smeg warehouse is the first facility in Sydney to incorporate Stockland’s super awning that covers the entire bay – not just part of it – for seamless operation in all weather conditions.
The warehouse holds both major domestic appliances and small domestic appliances SKUs, which are strategically placed according to volume levels. The spare parts area spans two levels across a total of 900 square metres, compared to 650 square metres at Botany, again, sorted according to volume.
The warehouse incorporates a dedicated room for product testing of both domestic and professional products. Smeg runs an apprenticeship program to train and mentor new technicians in all areas of service for the entire range of its appliances including ovens, cooktops, rangehoods, refrigerators and dishwashers.
There is also a break room for the warehouse team that incorporates tables, chairs and a kitchen fitted out with Smeg appliances, including ovens, microwaves, fridges, dishwashers, coffee machines, toaster and kettle.
“When I commenced as the managing director in 2021, one of the areas I wanted to review was our Botany premises. Personally, I felt we needed to upgrade to bigger and better and more efficient warehousing logistic premises, not only to improve operations but to deliver an enhanced environment for our staff,” Smeg Australia managing director, Wayne Campbell said.
“I’d like to thank the entire team for a successful transition from Botany to Ingleburn with a special mention to our national service and spare parts manager, Lesley Ryder and operations manager, Daniel Brander. This new facility is fit for the future growth of the Smeg Australia business. I am proud of this new home for our warehouse, logistics, spare parts and service, which complements our new office in Alexandria.”
Former Smeg global export director and current Smeg brand ambassador, Emer Zavaroni added, “Australia is an important market for Smeg and I’ve always pushed hard to ensure the efforts from Smeg Italy make their way to Australia. Wayne has brought a new energy as managing director and we’re receiving a lot of customer satisfaction from the market with our leading range of cooking appliances. Smeg was the pioneer of dishwashers in the Australian market, and we are also developing a new range of refrigerators to be released later this year.
“We have a great team across the business and on behalf of the Smeg management team, I would like to thank you for your cooperation in the move to Ingleburn. The Australian market has great potential so I am proud to be here and working closely with you all.”
Smeg director, Paolo Romani commented, “We want our company values to be reflected in our premises, so this is an important milestone for Smeg Australia as it represents our brand values. We produce appliances that not only decorate our homes and kitchens but bring people together.”
Feature image: Emer Zavaroni, Wayne Campbell & Paolo Romani cutting the ribbon on the new Ingleburn facility.