22 | Southpark Corp Ltd: Sime Darby T T Karen Phelps Business park chosen for relocation Sime Darby is significantly investing in new facilities due to ongoing growth and development of the business signifying its commitment to customers in the New Zealand market, says head of property at Sime Darby, Andrew Brown. “In Christchurch, we are consolidating into a single location and into brand new purpose-built facilities at Waterloo Business Park to better serve customers and create a better workplace for our employees. The investment in these locations is absolutely key to our business.” The relocation involves the construction of four major facilities within the business park: a four-level support office for Sime Darby Motors and Terra Cat employees, a House of Volvo truck showroom and 14-bay truck service centre, a large parts distribution centre, plus branches for Sime Darby businesses, Hyster and TWL, and an industrial complex for Terra Cat. The new support office, a 3000sqm building, will be part of The Works precinct within Waterloo Business Park. “Selecting Waterloo Business Park was key because it is arguably one of the top business parks in the South Island,” says Andrew. “The location, including access to roading networks, the city and airport, as well as the overall REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT facilities and amenities drew us to Waterloo Business Park. What is envisaged and planned for The Works precinct was a real draw card.” Cam Burnett, spokesperson for Waterloo Business Park agrees the park has a unique offering: “We have taken inspiration from around the world and the best of Kiwi to create a brand-new development that meets all the environmental, logistical, geotechnical, technological and construction requirements – and then raised the bar.” The industrial facilities being constructed for Sime Darby are equally impressive. The larger of the two Sime Darby Motors projects spans 19,200sqm, and will contain a Volvo truck showroom and feature the latest technology in its Truckstops service centre. The 10,300sqm site for the parts distribution centre will serve as the main hub for Sime Darby’s South Island operations and include new branches for Hyster and TWL. The 24,270sqm Terra Cat precinct will include a showroom, workshop, distribution centre, and a state-of-the-art Terra Analytical fluid-testing laboratory. Construction on these facilities is well underway, with the parts distribution centre already completed in August 2023. The Terra Cat industrial complex and Sime Darby Motors truck showroom and Truckstops service facilities are due for completion in September and October 2024, respectively, while the support office is scheduled to open in January 2025. Cam says there were logistical challenges on such a large-scale project: “Having so much work happening all at once is the biggest challenge. We had to spread the volume across multiple contractors and select the most appropriate contractor for each project.” Sustainability is a key focus in the new facilities. “All buildings are future-proofed for solar installation,” says Cam. “We’re also implementing efficient building services that are managed through a central BMS computer to automate and optimise how the support office building operates.” The business park itself contributes to these green initiatives, with Cam saying that water is extracted through wells on site and pumped around the park. All stormwater and water used outdoors in the facilities is drained to the ground, essentially naturally recycling the water. For Sime Darby, the move to Waterloo Business Park will help create a better work environment for employees. “The integration of green spaces ensures a balance between work and leisure, promoting employee wellbeing,” says Cam. This development is part of a larger expansion for Sime Darby in New Zealand, explains Andrew Brown. “We have just acquired 2.3 hectares of land on a 99-year lease at the Ruakura Superhub in Hamilton and 1.3 hectares of freehold land at the Tauriko Business Estate in Tauranga for Sime Darby Commercial.” These projects are set to be developed and built in 2025, further solidifying Sime Darby’s presence in key markets across the country. He says the scale of these investments underscores Sime Darby’s confidence in the New Zealand market. With approximately 200 employees in the support office and 150 across other sites at Waterloo Business Park, this move represents a significant commitment to both the company’s workforce and its customers. Wilson+HillArchitects T/64 3 379 3663 E/info@wilsonandhill.co.nz wilsonandhill.co.nz Proud to be working with Southpark Corp Ltd. FUTURE PROOF WITH PASSIVE FIRE & FIRE ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS PASSIVE FIRE FIRE ENGINEERING INSPECTIONS LEGAL & TRAINING SERVICES 0800 734 873 admin@pfits.nz www.pfits.nz
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