Honda to relocate HQ after 40 years
Honda Australia has pre-committed to a Melbourne Airport headquarters, near the outgoing Tullamarine one it recently sold to US private investment house Hines.
On 4.09 hectares, the proposed building will contain 22,800 square metres of area, 500 sqm of which will be offices.
Upon completion about this time next year, it will bring together the Japanese’s motoring giant’s car, bike, power equipment and marine divisions for the first time since 1991.
It will also act as the company’s national parts distribution centre.
Honda sells, leases
Honda has been looking for a facility since last August, when it listed for sale its current base, 85 Sharps Road, and the headquarters for its bike, power equipment and marine division, 1954-1956 Sydney Rd, Campbellfield.
We previously reported US-based property giant Hines snapped up those two assets for a speculated c$83 million.
“We are now making significant investments across the broader Honda business to strengthen our local operations,” Honda Australia chief operating officer, Stephen Collins, said of the Melbourne Airport asset, adding the company is moving to a new phase in a business transformation plan.
“We will be bringing all our automotive, motorcycle and power equipment parts warehousing and distribution together at the new purpose-built facility,” he added.
“As ‘One Honda’ in Australia, we will have greater scale to realise our full potential and best serve our range of customers,” according to the executive.
Honda Australia has been headquartered at Tullamarine for over 40 years (story continues below).
Melbourne Airport filling up
The Honda lease comes a fortnight since we reported Techtronic Industries Australia pre-committed to a 74,200 sqm Melbourne Airport warehouse (artist’s impression, top).
FJT Logistics and Reece are other major groups to recently rent in the estate, which is serviced by freeways providing easy access to both Melbourne’s west and north.
“Honda is a global brand known for its automotive, motorcycle and power equipment products, and we are pleased that we area able to offer them our unique location to support their local business objectives,” Melbourne Airport chief of Commercial Property and Retail, Andrew Gardiner, said.
“While our main business at the airport is of course aviation, our commercial property business also underpins our success, and that was particularly apparent throughout the pandemic,” he added.
“The Melbourne Airport Business Park is Australia’s largest…spanning in excess of 500 hectares,” according to the executive.
“We offer tenants like Honda fast access to air freight, on-site 24/7 security and close connections to arterial roads so that they can get their products to their customers quickly and easily.
CBRE’s Daniel Eramo represented Melbourne Airport Corporation. Colleague Todd Grima acted for Honda, for the lease.
Other agency executives, Rory Hilton and Chris O’Brien, marketed 85 Sharps Rd and 1954-1956 Sydney Rd.
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