Powering Automation: Asahi’s Brisbane DC with Europress & MAXAIR Pipework

Powering Automation: Asahi’s Brisbane DC with Europress & MAXAIR Pipework

When Asahi Beverages set out to consolidate multiple warehouses into one purpose-built distribution centre in Brisbane, the goal was clear:

  1. Reduce manual handling
  2. Increase productivity
  3. Build a future-ready site that could scale with demand

Their existing setup relied on forklifts, paper-based checks, and multiple touchpoints. It was labour-intensive, prone to delays, and not built for the future of fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG).

The Challenge: Building a Smarter Distribution Model

Asahi needed a facility that could handle tens of thousands of pallets, run 24/7, and integrate seamlessly with automation. The answer was the tallest Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) of its kind in Australia. But to perform at its peak, the ASRS required a reliable compressed air piping system — fast to install, safe, and built to last.

The Solution: Europress + MAXAIR Pipework

Air Energy partnered with integrator Dematic and equipment supplier Atlas Copco to deliver the critical infrastructure behind the new DC.

We supplied and installed a complete compressed air system, including:

  • Europress stainless steel pipework for hygienic, durable, and flame-free installation
  • MAXAIR pipework (63mm mains and 40mm branches) for efficient distribution
  • Atlas Copco G11P 7.5Bar floor-mounted compressor
  • OMD135 air dryer
  • Free-standing vertical air receiver

Every component was selected for performance, reliability, and compatibility with a fully automated environment.

The Outcome: 250% Productivity Increase

With the system in place, Asahi’s ASRS now handles around 31,500 pallet storage positions, spanning 13 levels high and 34 bays deep. Most pallets are never touched by a human until they reach the customer’s DC.

The results speak for themselves:

✓ 250% productivity increase

✓ Safer, faster, and more efficient pallet handling

✓ A scalable model built to meet future demand

Why Air Energy?

For complex projects like this, reliability isn’t just about the equipment — it’s about experience.

Air Energy works closely with project managers, automation integrators, and suppliers to ensure:

  • Seamless installation
  • Future-ready design
  • Long-term support

Our role at Asahi’s Brisbane DC shows how tailored Europress and MAXAIR pipework systems can back big-picture operational goals.

Got a Project in the Pipeline?

Whether you’re upgrading a plant room or powering a fully automated distribution centre, Air Energy can help design a solution that works as hard as you do.

Get the same reliability Asahi achieved, ask us about Europress and MAXAIR for your site.