Elders Toowoomba has become the benchmark of what a current rural retail store can provide farmers with a grand opening showcase of products
Every conceivable product for farm operations has been masterfully positioned for the ultimate farm customer experience, as revealed at the grand opening of the Elders Rural Services store in Toowoomba QLD.
Elders Toowoomba stands out as offering a level of product availability, coupled with a layout that is easy to follow and for finding product lines quickly. It has set a standard that others will want to follow.
Elders Rural Services decided to complete a comprehensive relocation of its Toowoomba branch, working in partnership with storage solutions specialist Storeplan to create a modern, efficient facility that sets a benchmark for agricultural retail operations.
The project represents the latest milestone in a partnership spanning nearly three decades, demonstrating Elders’ ongoing commitment to providing exceptional service to the agricultural community while ensuring the highest standards of workplace safety and operational efficiency.
Leading Agricultural retail store
A lot of planning has gone into the Toowoomba branch build relocation involved a complete design of storage systems, warehouse layout, and retail spaces to optimise workflow and enhance the customer experience.
Key improvements for the benefit of farmer product purchase flow include:
• Extensive Warehouse Storage: Installation of 99 Selective Pallet Racking frames creating multiple storage runs with capacities up to 3000kg per beam level, dramatically increasing storage efficiency and organisation.
• Specialised Safety Compliance: Implementation of storage bays for dangerous goods (DG) with secure mesh caging and swing gate systems meeting strict AgSafe standards for chemical and hazardous material storage.
• Weather-Protected Storage: Addition of Galvanised Outdoor Pallet Racking providing ‘built to last’ outdoor storage.
• Enhanced Safety Infrastructure: Installation of comprehensive Safety Systems – Handrail Systems with Pedestrian Access Gates throughout the facility, including specialised access for safety equipment.
• Modernised Retail Display: Implementation of professional black Gondola Shelving Systems fully customised with pegboards creating organised, accessible product displays that enhance the customer shopping experience.
• Complete Integration: All systems designed for seamless workflow from receiving through to customer collection, reducing handling time and improving operational efficiency.
Elders Storeplan partnership
“This project showcases the power of our long-standing partnership with Storeplan,” explained Laura Waddington, Elders Corporate Property Operations Lead. “Their comprehensive approach, from initial design through to installation and ongoing compliance support, allows us to focus on what we do best: serving our agricultural communities.”
The transformation was completed with minimal disruption to branch operations, due to Storeplan’s expertise in managing complex retail and property upgrades. The company’s ability to operate efficiently in both outer urban and regional areas proved crucial to the project’s success.
Sets rural retailing standard
The Elders Toowoomba branch reflects broader trends in agricultural retail, where businesses are investing in modern infrastructure to meet evolving customer expectations and regulatory requirements.
Required functions such as specialised storage for agricultural chemicals, improved product accessibility, and enhanced workplace safety measures position the branch as a model for rural retail excellence.
“We’re seeing increasing demand for storage solutions that address the unique challenges of agricultural retail,” offered Luke Hillenberg from Storeplan. “This project demonstrates how thoughtful design and strategic partnership can deliver outcomes that benefit everyone, the business, its staff, and the customers they serve.”
Long term partnership
Elders and Storeplan have maintained a strategic partnership since the mid-1990s, with collaboration intensifying significantly over the past decade. This relationship has enabled Elders to maintain consistent compliance across all depot locations.
And has allowed stores to access specialised agricultural storage solutions, as well as streamline supply chain management through single-supplier that provides ongoing support and annual compliance reporting
The enhanced Toowoomba facility strengthens Elders’ ability to serve the agricultural community right across the Darling Downs region of Queensland. Improved efficiency and expanded capacity enable better stock management and faster service delivery, directly benefiting local farmers and rural businesses.
The branch serves as a vital link in the agricultural supply chain, providing everything from livestock feed and veterinary supplies to farming equipment and rural merchandise. The modernised facility ensures this critical service continues to meet the highest standards of reliability and professionalism.
Ongoing service expansion
The successful completion of the new Elders Toowoomba branch reinforces both organisations’ commitment to continuous improvement and innovation in agricultural retail.
Plans are already underway for similar upgrades at additional Elders locations, leveraging the proven partnership model to deliver consistent results across the Elders Rural Services network that has played a key role in rural Australia for more than 180 years.
The expertise of Storeplan as a leading provider of Storage Solutions including racking, shelving, mezzanine, safety solutions for agricultural and rural retail environments, is an ideal fit with the comprehensive services Elders rural stores provide to famers.
The expanded Elders Rural Services Toowoomba branch located at 328 Taylor Street Glenvale Toowoomba QLD 4350 can be contacted on tel: (07) 4636 8888.
