By Chris Nicholls
SYDNEY: Bing Lee’s new flagship store, head office and warehouse, located in Villawood, are set to open by August according to operations manager Peter Braithwaite.
The location, on the corner of Woodville Road and Fairfield Street in Villawood, will be known to Bing Lee staff as ‘Ken’s Shed’, in memory of company co-founder Ken Lee, who passed away in December 2007.
The site will be the size of three football fields and will incorporate an 8,700sqm purpose built warehouse, 3000sqm flagship store, including a clearance store and ducted air-conditioning outlet, and a 3000sqm head office.
“The planning and input behind the development of our new facilities was the vision of Ken,” said Braithwaite.
“It is sad that he isn’t with us to see the project’s progress and completion, but it is through the new facilities that his legacy remains.”
Bing Lee general manager Phil Moujaes said this was an important landmark for the family-run retailer.
“This is yet another sign of Bing Lee’s continued success and growth as we head into 2008 and a new era following the passing of co-founder and chairman Ken Lee,” he said.
“The newly constructed warehouse will be 50 per cent larger than our existing storage space, allowing us the opportunity to hold larger amounts of stock improving our supply of bulky goods to the growing number of outlets in NSW and the ACT.”
Moujaes said the new facilities would allow better stock level and availability monitoring, as well as greater support for all stores and improved customer delivery processes.
Bing Lee’s current Fairfield headquarters would remain open, despite the relocation, Moujeas said.