Artist's impression of the Ford development

Ford will invest in a fifth Victorian location, a modern logistics hub that will serve the current and future needs of customers, dealers and the business. Located at Merrifield Business Park in Mickleham, Ford's new parts distribution facility will be one of the largest automotive parts distribution centres in Australia, enabling Ford to ensure that its full vehicle line-up is well supported. Kay Hart, president & CEO, Ford Australia and New Zealand, says the move is an important step in continually improving service for customers and dealers. "With space and great transport infrastructure links, this new site will enable us to store and quickly distribute the parts we need for the current and future generations of vehicles, including electrified vehicles. It will also give our Ford team the space it needs to grow our business into the future." A Ford spokesperson tells Forkliftaction News that materials handling equipment at the facility will include turret trucks, counterbalance forklifts, reach trucks, order pickers, low level order pickers and pallet movers. "Automation has been kept to a minimum. Small parts will be stored in a three-level mezzanine with a conveyor system," the spokesperson says. Ford has declined to identify its equipment suppliers and partners.