Moving house last weekend for Australian Liquor Marketing (ALM) meant shifting 15 million bottles of liquor worth AUD60 million (USD43.8 million) over three days, and using a hired fleet of 32 forklifts.

ALM is Australia's biggest independent liquor wholesaler and distributor and is part of the Metcash Trading empire. The company had outgrown its Loganlea Queensland distribution centre and was moving 'lock, stock and barrel' to its new warehouse at Crestmead, 15km away.

ALM national distribution manager, Grant Piunti told Forkliftaction.com News that the mammoth transfer of alcohol amounted to 500 semi-trailer loads of alcohol, comprising 600 product lines.

"We also used 15 reach trucks, 32 gas forklifts and 60 electric pallet jacks", said Grant, "and less than 100 cartons were damaged over the three-day move".

The new ALM warehouse at Crestmead will have a regular fleet of 10 reach trucks and 12 gas forklifts to keep the alcohol flowing to more than 3000 independent liquor outlets in northern New South Wales and Queensland.