KAESER Australia unveils new facility

KAESER Australia has unveiled its 4500 m² facility in Dandenong South, Victoria, which includes offices, a warehouse and a workshop. The $15 million facility features innovations that echo the company’s focus on sustainability.

The original warehouse and office was constructed in 1989. KAESER Compressors Australia was established the following year and moved in. The business grew over time, but despite modification and expansion works, it became apparent that a new facility was needed. The challenge here was to keep the business running while demolishing and rebuilding the premises at double the size.

Peter Eckberg, KAESER Australia Managing Director, said the company needed a facility that would serve its needs now and in the future, upholding its sustainability values.

The philosophy permeates the company from product design and manufacture at the head office in Germany, all the way to its Australian subsidiary.

According to Eckberg, KAESER products help reduce resource and energy consumption to save emissions and operating costs.

“They also help our customers to achieve their own sustainable and environmentally responsible goals. Likewise, our building and operation here in Dandenong South is designed to be as resource-friendly as possible and ultimately, move us to carbon-neutral operations,” Eckberg said.

After various COVID-related setbacks, construction began in 2021 while the warehouse, workshop, assembly area and office continued operating during the two-year project.

A new warehouse and temporary office space with 98 kW of solar panels was built behind the old one.

Once this was operational, the old building was demolished and over 98% of the materials that made up the old factory were recycled and reused, including all of the concrete and steel.

All was finished and the final move-in was completed in March 2023. The 4500 m² building is now home to 196 kW of solar panels, creating a 90% drop in energy reliance on the grid. A large screen in the reception area gives employees and visitors real-time data on the solar energy generation, earnings from the grid and the amount of CO₂ saved.

Managing Director Peter Eckberg with the EV charging station.

Three electric vehicle charging stations have also been installed at the site.

“It has been two years in the construction phase, and it is an overwhelming feeling of relief and satisfaction to now use this spacious, modern facility. We are pleased to look to the future knowing that while we have increased our physical footprint and given ourselves space to grow, we have also reduced our environmental footprint at the same time,” Eckberg said.

Top image: The new KAESER Australia head office, completed in 2023 (image by Misheye).