Rust said the company was delivering on its promise to invest in Queensland as part of last year's restructure. "Over the past two years, we've seen pretty strong growth from Queensland and we feel it's the right time ... We believe we can get 40 to 50 per cent growth from this investment this year," he said.
Rust said the 495 square metre centre, leased in Brisbane's West End, would allow Ingram Micro to expand its relationship with Brisbane-based white-box OEMs wanting same-day delivery.
"A number of resellers said that if we provided same-day delivery, they might expand their relationship with us," he said.
Previously, Queensland resellers were served on an overnight or next-day delivery basis, with orders processed by Ingram Micro's head office in Sydney.
As part of the same restructure, the company has already centralised its call centre and head office facilities at a new national headquarters in Flemington, Sydney, added a sales office in Canberra and relocated up to 50 staff from Melbourne to Sydney.
"What we found was that having head office functions supplied from Melbourne and Sydney didn't bring the efficiencies we wanted," Rust said.
Ingram Micro's exception to the central headquarters and satellite sales office approach was Perth. Rust said Perth, being two days away from Sydney, would maintain its size and relative independence.
Queensland state manager Onur Dincer will head the new centre, backed by two warehousing and two sales staff. The centre will stock fast-moving items from about 55 vendors, with other products available on demand. "We can add staff as the business grows. And we want to grow ... to pay for it," Rust said.
