Our value Better Together has brought Stramit back to Newcastle, Australia, with Stramit and Laminex Australia joining forces to create a shared operational hub that is now fully up and running and making smarter use of Fletcher Building's existing infrastructure and resources.
The combined site is now operating as a full Stramit cross-dock facility, meaning Stramit products are received, sorted and distributed locally rather than being supplied from other locations.
After a six-month transition, the Newcastle site has become Stramit's dedicated base for the region, allowing the business to respond more quickly to customer demand while improving product availability across Newcastle and the Hunter.
By sharing Laminex's existing site, infrastructure and expertise, the two businesses have created a smarter, more cost-efficient operation that strengthens service for customers while making better use of Fletcher Building's resources.
The move is already making a difference. Customers now have access to a locally based customer service team, faster response times and stronger local support, with the business already seeing increased customer engagement and early sales growth since operations commenced.
The shared site now supports 16 dedicated Stramit team members, including warehouse staff, drivers and customer service representatives, with Stramit and Laminex teams working side by side, every day.
Making the shared hub a reality took six months of careful planning and close collaboration between Stramit, Laminex, Property and Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) teams. While maintaining uninterrupted service for customers, the team delivered a range of site upgrades, including new signage, lighting, storage solutions, updated traffic management and RFID barcode scanning technology, creating a safer, more efficient operation from day one. s.
Beyond the operational improvements, the project has strengthened the relationship between the two businesses, with teams embracing the opportunity to work together and build a genuinely collaborative environment.
"Re-establishing Stramit's presence in Newcastle has been a significant achievement for everyone involved," says Stramit NSW Business Growth Manager Tim Freedman.
"Over the past six months, we've worked closely with our colleagues at Laminex to create a shared operating environment that benefits both businesses and, most importantly, our customers. The response from the market has been incredibly encouraging, with customers excited to see Stramit back in the region and sales already gaining momentum."
The project is a great example of Fletcher Building's Better Together value in action. By sharing expertise, infrastructure and resources, Stramit and Laminex have created a more efficient operation that delivers better outcomes for customers while laying the foundations for future growth.