National freight company Northline has opened a 22,500 square metre depot in Broome after recording twice the expected demand within 12 months of starting its express freight service with Darwin.

This unexpectedly high uptake of the service has seen Northline decide to launch a new express freight service linking Broome with Perth. As a result, Northline’s Broome headcount has increased to three direct employees with plans to recruit additional casuals and subcontractors as demand grows.

Northline’s Darwin-Broome express service has been strongly subscribed since a few weeks after its establishment, with freight including oil and gas exploration equipment and general freight. A major attraction for Broome companies is Northline’s national freight and warehouse network as well as its international freight forwarding capacity.

Northline chief operating officer Phillip Taylor said the Broome depot’s success had exceeded expectations. “With our Broome depot, Northline is now established as a key regional and local service provider,” he said.

“A unique benefit for us has been Northline’s national network which allows us to service this region from anywhere within Australia and overseas. Our international division is having considerable success servicing key clients in the building and resort development sector plus mining and resources.

“We are able to provide a complete end-to-end service with port access via Fremantle, Darwin and Port Hedland, thus designing a solution that is specific to the needs of our customer. The regularity of our express freight service from Darwin, and the fact that it’s closer to Broome than Fremantle, particularly for Asia, provides our customers with a timely and cost effective route.

“With the infrastructure developments in north western Australia, and oil and gas industry expansion in the area, the potential for expansion, even in these difficult economic times, is very strong.”

Northline is an Australian freight company that specialises in servicing remote locations throughout the country. The privately-owned business, which employs more than 400 people, provides a combination of express freight, general freight, warehousing and mine site services throughout Australia.

Northline has already taken over its new depot, which includes an office, an enclosed warehouse and 21,000 square metres of hard stand for vehicles. Located at 250 Port Drive, Broome, the Northline depot is within the city’s light industrial area, about 5km from its central business district.

As well as the Darwin and Perth lanes, Northline provides express freight services to Karratha.

Nr, Taylor said the company had outgrown its previous facility, which it shared with another freight company. “Once people realised we were offering a regular express service, they’ve jumped on board and our trucks are full,” he said.

“We are getting as many as four or five trucks a week coming through from Darwin. We expect that number to increase significantly once we start the express lane from Perth to Broome.”

Since announcing its presence in Broome in April last year, Northline has established itself as a good corporate citizen in the close-knit community. This has included providing sponsorship for the Broome Surf Lifesaving Club and for the Broome Golf Club.

To learn more about Northline, visit www.northline.com.au.

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For media assistance and photographs, call John Harris at Impress Media Australia on 08 8431 4000 or email jharris@impress.com.au.