Earlier this month, when advice was received on Cyclone Alfred’s potential landfall in SE Queensland, our teams at the six Americold facilities in Queensland: Murarrie, Ormeau, Acacia Ridge, Hemmant 1, 2 and 3, commenced diligently preparing our sites with close Weather Tracking, and a key focus on Associate Safety, Associate Communication, Customer communication, Transport communication and Site preparedness, ahead of the cyclone’s landfall. Working closely with our customers, we ensured that their increased demand requirements were met prior to the expected cyclone impacts.
We monitored Government warnings and advice from Federal, State and local councils, and meticulously planned the closure and reopening of sites, with plans set in place to monitor our premises and ensure temperature integrity during the adverse weather over the weekend.
With the safety of our employees and associates as our highest priority Americold’s operations closed over the weekend in accordance with government and emergency services authorities’ safety protocols.
With our risk management protocols and emergency plans fully operational, we re-opened our Queensland sites on Monday, 10th March with limited resourcing, associates and transport due to devastating flooding across the state.
“We extend our sympathies to our associates, customers and their families who may have been affected by Cyclone Alfred. We acknowledge our Queensland team for guiding our business through this significant weather event. We applaud your resilience and commitment to our customers to ensure minimal business disruption” said Doug Seccombe, Managing Director, APAC with Americold.
“Cyclone Alfred gave us a tough start to the week, with up to 120kmph winds, torrential rain, floods, closed schools, cancelled public transport, business and road closures, and many families evacuated from their homes. However, it is a true testament to being ‘Americold Proud’ that as a team, we checked on each other, ensured our families are safe and we all showed up for each other when it really matters. We witnessed and are grateful for the numerous messages of care, open home offers to those impacted, and associates sharing their supplies because of the shortages caused by panic buying. We, as a team, took a pause, amidst the time of recovering from the aftermath of Cyclone Alfred, to share pizza, show gratitude and more importantly appreciate each other and value each one and the value they bring to the Americold family” shared Dane Stowers, General Manager, Murarrie QLD.
Thank you to all our customers for your cooperation, planning and support working with us in camaraderie during this time of crisis.