Exporters excited at launch of $18m trade distribution centre at Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport

Thousands of tonnes of exports will soon be transported to the world thanks to the launch of Wagner Corporation’s $18m trade distribution centre at Wellcamp Airport.

Karen Penfold of Four Daughters and Jamie Kennedy of Pak Fresh will take advantage of the opportunities the Toowoomba Wellcamp Trade Distribution Centre presents for their businesses. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Small Darling Downs producers like Karen Penfold and Jamie Kennedy will soon be able to tap into international markets normally out of reach, with their products leaving directly from the region.

The Darling Downs is set to become a central hub for exporting thanks to the launch of Wagner Corporation’s $18m regional trade distribution centre at Wellcamp Airport.

The 4000 sqm facility, which was opened by Treasurer Cameron Dick on Tuesday, will allow both emerging and established exporters to store and move their freight across the world.

Ms Penfold, who runs family-owned beef producer Four Daughters, said the centre created an opening for the company to explore airfreight, whereas it had previously had to export by sea.

“What’s exciting is when we ship we have to do a minimum of 20ft containers, whereas with airfreight, while the cost might be larger, we can now access different markets with a smaller offering,” she said.

“We don’t have to offer up that huge amount of product.

“It gives us so many opportunities to explore different avenues for business.

“It has the potential for us to export our product to other countries direct from Toowoomba, and it’s amazing to think that could happen.”

Food Leaders Australia general manager Bruce McConnel said the facility would allow smaller operators to bargain with freight companies collectively to make up one shipment, which would make rates more competitive.

“It allows emerging exporters, those small to medium exporters, to work together and consolidate their freight together to get efficiency and better product in the market,” he said.

“This facility is really unique in Australia in that you don’t have to negotiate on your own, you can negotiate as a consolidation of small groups to get freight costs down and enter new markets.

“We’ll form some of the groups that will come here to make sure they can get the efficiency with it.”

Mr McConnel said the facility also catered for established exporters.

Mr Dick said the Queensland Government’s $10m investment in the project would be returned several times over with job opportunities and export growth.

“Now we see this trade and export centre glistening in the Darling Downs as a beacon of what the future holds for this region,” he said.

“This will be sending the best pork, beef, peanuts and horticulture to the world.

“We want to ensure our primary producers could export the best, and we had no better partner to invest in this than the Wagner family.”