Ventia has signed a contract to transfer the service of Defence Retail Stores, previously conducted under the Estate Maintenance and Operational Services (EMOS) contract with Estate and Infrastructure Group, to a new agreement with Joint Logistics Command (JLC).

The Retail Stores service is a critical logistics function that manages a range of Australian Defence Force (ADF) inventory from furniture distribution and medical equipment supply through to explosive ordnance, weapons and support to field training activities.

The service operates at 38 locations across Australia from explosive ordnance at Woomera, to field training activities at Royal Military College Duntroon, medical equipment support in Townsville and the operation of Warrant Officer and Non-Commissioned Officer (WONCO) Academy training wings.

The transfer of the service to the JLC command ensures all logistics support services are managed under one umbrella including Ventia's management and operation of Defence Clothing Stores and kitting activities.
It also offers the opportunity for greater supply chain analysis and improvement through streamlining of supply and receipt.

Ventia's Group Executive, Defence & Social Infrastructure, Derek Osborn, said the selection is a testament to the company's strong relationships with both Estate and Infrastructure Group and Joint Logistics Command.

"Ventia is very proud to offer a seamless transition of the Retail Stores service between two very important clients," Mr Osborn said. "It's been a great collaboration between E&IG, JLC and Ventia to reach this outcome. Importantly, it allows us the ability to offer ADF customers a one-stop-shop for logistics requirements at multiple locations".

Logistics and supply chain is critical to enabling Defence capability and the refining and modernisation of the approach ensures ADF can continue to raise, train and sustain to meet their output requirements.

^{Pictured above form left to right: CDRE Allison Norris (Director General Estate Services Delivery, Estate & Infrastructure Group), MR Lindsay Morton (Ventia Contract Manager, Defence Retail Services) and AIRCDRE Angie Castner (Director General Supply Chain, Joint Logistics Command)}