Komatsu Australia commits to 10-year lease at Canvas West estate in Melbourne

MELBOURNE, 28 NOVEMBER 2022

Frasers Property Industrial has secured a 10-year lease with Komatsu Australia, a leading manufacturer of construction, mining, forestry, and industrial heavy equipment, at its 42.3-hectare Canvas West estate in Tarneit, Victoria.

The 100-year-old, multi-national machinery company has committed to a 20,922 square metre facility, comprising a 12,016 square metre purpose-built warehouse space, accompanied by a 510 square metre premium office and customer service centre.

Komatsu Executive General Manager of Supply Chain, Russell Hodson commented, "This site represents a continuation of the decade-long expansion of Komatsu's footprint in Australia, which is designed to offer world-class support for our ever-growing customer base in Australia." The new facility follows the opening of two other Komatsu facilities in Australia this year.

Komatsu's facility will have a ridge height of 14.6 metres and comprise four recessed loading docks and five on-grade roller doors. To support all-weather operations, the facility will be equipped with a full-width super awning spanning 1,650 square metres. Functioning as a storage and distribution centre for Komatsu's earth moving spare parts business, the facility will also be fitted out with heavy-duty mobile racks and heavy load towers.

Designed to target a 5-Star Green Star Design and As-Built v1.3 rating from the Green Building Council of Australia, sustainable design features will include a roof top solar array, energy and water metering and monitoring, and energy-efficient internal and external LED lighting with automated control systems. Rainwater harvesting, storage and reuse systems will also be installed for water efficiency.

"Komatsu has committed to reducing our carbon footprint by 50% by the end of this decade, and this new facility will contribute to that objective," said Russell Hodson.

Works are expected to commence in early 2023 for the facility and an adjacent speculative facility, which when combined span 41,187 square metres. Completion is expected in early 2024.

The next-generation industrial facility will focus on sustainability and workplace wellbeing, using sustainable materials, a warm and welcoming aesthetic throughout the workplace interiors, dedicated green walls,  and landscaped outdoor areas that help minimise local heat island effects and improve thermal comfort for employees.

Canvas West estate amenities include a generous four hectares of open space, a conservation area with wetlands, a tree-lined boulevard entrance, dedicated off-road bike paths, and running and walking tracks. Access and wayfinding are also enhanced by wide streetscapes, high-quality landscaping, signalised entry, 24/7 operational hours, B-double truck access, as well as an extensive 800 metre frontage to Boundary Road.

Komatsu will join the Netherlands based online retailer VidaXL, wholesaler of fabrics for blinds Shaw Fabrics and logistics company Silk Logistics at Canvas West. 

Andrew Hanna, General Manager – Victoria for Frasers Property Industrial, comments, "We are pleased to partner with Komatsu and welcome them to our Canvas West estate, which is leading a new channel of growth in Melbourne's west. With many enterprises seeking to establish a foothold in the region, demand for quality industrial space remains strong amidst a backdrop of low stock and vacancy. With a focus on sustainability and wellbeing, Canvas West's class-leading facilities and services will give our customers a leading edge in their operations."

Russell Hodson, Executive General Manager Supply Chain for Komatsu, said, "Canvas West provides us with an excellent base for our earth moving parts business as we expand our support for our customers based in South-Eastern Australia. The site's exposure to Boundary Road provides the perfect site for our relocation and expansion, with the state-of-the-art facility providing us a contemporary design and high roof clearance to create a modern, sustainable and conducive operational facility. Our staff will have the added benefit of the member support and information available via Frasers Property Industrial's partnership with Healthy Heads in Trucks & Sheds, helping us continue to create a healthy work environment." 

The deal was brokered by Scott Nienhuis and Laagan Whalan of Savills Australia.

Laagan Whalan, Director Industrial and Logistics for Savills Australia, comments, "The industrial market in Melbourne's west is characterised by strong occupier demand and a general shortage of quality industrial space. Located near key transport routes, Canvas West's excellent connectivity is proving to be a draw for many customers. As Melbourne's western suburbs continue to develop, we expect leasing enquiries to continue to increase as more businesses seek to grow their presence in the region."

Canvas West is well connected to major transport routes along the Deer Park Bypass, Western Freeway and Princes Freeway. Its strategic location in Melbourne's thriving west puts it in proximity to the Melbourne CBD (22km), Tullamarine Airport (20km), Port of Melbourne (19km) and M1 Princes Freeway (8km).