Arrium steel from Whyalla will be used in a new $1.5m distribution warehouse being built by the South Australian newsagents co-operative ANCOL at Allenby Gardens.

ANCOL and its school supplies business KW Schools are building a new retail sales outlet following ANCOL’s recent purchase of web-based stationery supplier, Lighthouse Books.

Established in 1972, ANCOL co-operative members employ more than 1000 people across the state and the network retains 90% of the South Australian schools market.

Background

KW Wholesale Stationers is a wholly South Australian-owned and operated co-operative, with 380 member news agents, many of them small businesses. It has become the supplier of choice for education-specific products among the majority of local primary schools.

Its principal business is the wholesale supply and provision of delivery solutions for the stationery needs of local schools and newsagents. Operating from an office, sales and warehousing facility on Grange Road, Allenby Gardens it also has a paper converter, stationery manufacturer and recycle facility in Elizabeth West.

The Allenby Gardens warehouse centre expansion project will also see the business open a general public retail sales outlet for the first time. This will open up opportunities to explore further market initiatives.

Quotes attributable to Small Business Minister Martin Hamilton-Smith

ANCOL has shown great commitment to South Australia, both as a supplier, employer and now in this $1.5 million expansion project using steel from Whyalla.

We use as much local steel as possible in government infrastructure projects and want the private sector to do the same, which is why we’ve mandated the use of Australian standard steel.

This gives Arrium the best chance of winning contracts and ensures quality, safe steel products are used in construction in this State.

At a time when South Australia is facing significant economic challenges, it’s gratifying to see a business not only succeed, but excel at what it is doing.

ANCOL has been working with the Department of State Development to explore the opportunities and support available to South Australian businesses and to that end has also met with the Small Business Commissioner and the Industry Participation Advocate.

We want local businesses to take advantage of the support available to them, to help them grow and diversify. We’ve already implemented a number of changes that support companies do business more cost effectively and our last State Budget included the most comprehensive tax reform in South Australia’s history.