A new chapter in distribution for Penguin Random House

28 October 2026

A new chapter in distribution for Penguin Random House

Dispatching more than 36 million books each year across Australia and New Zealand requires a facility designed around the operation. 

 

For Penguin Random House, bringing four buildings together under one roof was an opportunity to rethink how its distribution network worked. At Rubix Connect in Melbourne’s south-east, we partnered with the publisher to deliver a warehouse and office tailored to its automation, people and service requirements.

 

The result is a facility that supports the movement of books from publisher to reader, while making everyday operations easier for the team behind them.

 

This milestone marks an important step forward for industrial property across the country and for how embodied carbon is measured in the built environment. 

 

Bringing the operation together

 

Before relocating, Penguin Random House operated across four buildings, moving pallets between sites throughout south-east Melbourne to service its customers. 

 

The new facility needed to address two priorities: accommodate its products in one location and improve productivity while maintaining the speed and reliability of its service.

 

Matt O’Brien, Operations Director, Penguin Random House Distribution Australia, explains: “We had four buildings prior to moving here, so we were shuffling pallets all over Southeast Melbourne to try and keep our customers serviced.” 

 

Consolidating the operation created the opportunity to design the building around how the business needed to work, from the warehouse footprint to its automation and supporting infrastructure.

 

Matt O’Brien says that flexibility played an important role in choosing Frasers Property Industrial:

“They knew that we’re a long term tenant and their willingness to accommodate us really was one of the biggest factors for choosing them.”

 

 

Working through the detail together

 

Achieving Design workshops gave both teams the opportunity to work through Penguin Random House’s requirements and adapt the facility accordingly. 

 

That collaboration continued throughout delivery, with our project management team working alongside the customer and its specialists to resolve questions and coordinate the building with the automation installation. 

 

From column spacing to floor specifications, the focus remained on how each decision would support the operation. 

 

As Matt O’Brien describes it: “The building structure and the columns that hold the roof up and how we space that, the concrete floor, the power delivery where we actually have to put power to out in the warehouse was all predesigned in with the project management team at Fraser’s and delivered exactly to meet our automation needs.”

 

 

 

A better workplace for the team


The brief also emphasised the experience of the people working in the facility. 

 

North- and east-facing glazing brings natural light into the offices, complemented by double-height entry spaces, upgraded ceilings, feature walls and green walls. 

 

Bathrooms, locker rooms, a lunchroom, and an outdoor area give employees space to prepare for the day, take a break, and spend time together. 

 

These elements support a workplace that brings the office and warehouse teams together at one location. 

 

Supporting the next chapter 

 

After its first year of operation, Penguin Random House describes a facility that runs smoothly and delivers for both customers and employees. 

 

For us, the project demonstrates the value of understanding a customer’s operation early and carrying that understanding through design, delivery and into occupation. 

 

Matt O’Brien sums up the outcome: “We’re really proud of this place. It’s delivering great service to our customers. It’s made our employees lives easier at work.”  

 

Watch the Making Momentum film to hear more from Penguin Random House and the Frasers Property Industrial team.

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