Entelar Group's New South Island Distribution Hub: A Strategic Investment in Growth
Entelar Group's newly opened South Island hub isn't just a warehouse - it's a bold statement of intent. The cutting-edge facility in Hornby, Christchurch positions the company as a leading technology services provider in the region, consolidating its operations into a single centre that sets new standards for technical capability and operational excellence.
A Strategic Consolidation
Consolidating three previously separate South Island locations into a single hub, the new facility brings together Entelar Group’s South Island distribution, IT services and mobile infrastructure operations to provide faster turnarounds and better service levels for local clients.
The search for the right location spanned almost two years, says Nick Thompson, Entelar Group’s Southern Operations Lead, with the Group's exacting requirements shaping the selection process.
"Property space availability in Christchurch sits below 1%," says Thompson, "so it took time to find a location that could accommodate our unique combination of requirements—substantial warehouse space, extensive office facilities, and significant yard area for our mobile infrastructure operations."
Eventually, a suitable site was found on the western edge of Christchurch: a partially completed, large-scale facility on Columbia Avenue in Hornby South.
Because construction was still underway, there was an opportunity to modify the building's design by adding 400 square metres of office space within the warehouse and expanding the concrete hardstand by 1,100 square metres for tower storage—changes essential for operational needs.
Scale and Efficiency
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Opened in October 2024, the new facilities significantly expanded Entelar Group's local footprint. The new warehouse provides 2,300 square metres of usable space, tripling previous storage capacity to 2,000 pallet spaces, with 600 square metres of office space and a tenfold increase in yard area. The expanded space is matched by careful attention to operational efficiency. |
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"The covered loading areas protect operations from weather, while the expanded yard space enables smoother traffic flow," says Thompson. "We've implemented an innovative approach to site planning, studying natural movement patterns for a month before finalising our workflow design."
"We've created dedicated lanes for heavy vehicles, installed clear signage systems, and established specific zones for different operational activities," Thompson says. "Even our car park design incorporates safety features like mandatory reverse parking."
Technical Infrastructure and Innovation
The facility's infrastructure sets new benchmarks for technical operations. Twenty-eight fibre lines to the location provide 10-gigabit connections, supporting high-volume data transfer and real-time client connectivity. A facility-wide Wi-Fi network enables mobile operations and inventory management through barcode scanning systems.
The purpose-built imaging laboratory showcases Entelar Group's technical capabilities too. The lab can simultaneously configure 120 laptops, connecting directly to client networks through secure, dedicated lines, enabling rapid deployment of standardised configurations across large organisations.
The imaging facility incorporates dual Wi-Fi coverage for flexible testing environments, fixed network lines for stable, high-speed data transfer, card-access security protocols, and dedicated power infrastructure for high-volume operations.
Services and Operations
The warehouse serves as a sophisticated logistics hub, managing large volumes of inventory for major corporate clients. The facility handles procurement, storage, and rapid deployment of IT equipment, and is supported by advanced asset tracking systems.
A significant portion of the facility supports Entelar Group's mobile infrastructure division—expanded yard space houses essential equipment for cell tower construction and maintenance, including tower components, transmission equipment, antennae, and Cell on Wheels (COW) units for temporary deployments.
The technical services team provides on-site equipment imaging and configuration, warranty repairs and maintenance, network infrastructure setup, Wi-Fi surveying and implementation, and comprehensive hardware deployment and support.
Security measures reflect the facility's role in handling sensitive client data and equipment. Access control systems and CCTV coverage protect physical assets, while network segregation and secure protocols safeguard digital resources. Dedicated zones for sensitive equipment and pre-imaging storage ensure client data remains protected throughout all processes.
Environmental Leadership
The facility also plays a key role in Entelar Group's environmental commitment. Through a partnership with EcoTech, the site processes approximately $1.75 million worth of e-waste annually, handling everything from desktop peripherals to telecommunications infrastructure, ensuring proper recycling of valuable materials including precious metals from legacy equipment.
Future sustainability plans include upcoming solar panel installation, which will serve the dual purpose of reducing operational energy costs while providing a demonstration site for the Group's growing solar technology distribution business. Under the Tower Energy brand, inverters and batteries are supplied to installers throughout the South Island, supporting the region's renewable energy transition.
Future Focus
The facility brings together more than 40 employees under one roof, with 25 staff working on-site and another 15-20 field personnel supporting regional operations.
"The consolidation has created a much more collaborative environment," Thompson notes. "Team members can easily consult across departments, leading to more efficient problem-solving and better client outcomes."
The hub represents more than an operational upgrade, says Thompson—it's a testament to Entelar Group's commitment to the South Island market and its technology future.
"With this facility, we're building for tomorrow as much as today," he explains. "The flexible design accommodates emerging technologies and growing service demands and we've created a space that advances both our operational capabilities and our strategic vision."
This investment in infrastructure, coupled with a focus on service quality and innovation, positions Entelar Group strongly for continued growth in the South Island and across New Zealand.
"It's transformed our service delivery in a really noticeable way," Thompson says. "Clients who've toured the facility have immediately recognised the scale of what we can offer. This facility is proof that the South Island can support world-class technology services."
"Entelar Group is a very forward-thinking company, and this facility demonstrates our commitment to the region and to delivering world-class technology services from the South Island."