Smarter Infrastructure for Industrial Assets: The new standard for future-ready facilities
Australia’s industrial and logistics sector is growing fast and changing just as quickly. As occupier expectations shift and energy prices climb, industrial property owners are under pressure to create smarter, more resilient spaces that offer operational efficiency, sustainability, and future flexibility.
At SUPA, we work with industrial asset owners to deliver integrated infrastructure that meets these evolving needs, from embedded energy and EV charging to fibre connectivity and smart access systems. This article explores how these solutions are responding to the challenges and opportunities shaping the sector today.
1. Lowering operational costs through smarter utilities
With energy prices in Australia increasing by 25% year-over-year in 2024, driven in part by a rise in wholesale energy rates, industrial businesses are facing mounting pressure from operational costs. For energy-intensive users and logistics-driven facilities, cost efficiency is no longer a ‘nice to have’; it’s a business-critical priority.
To stay competitive, industrial assets need access to smarter, more efficient infrastructure, such as embedded energy networks, that can deliver lower opex, enhance resilience, and ensure long-term viability.
This is where integrated utility infrastructure can play a major role. SUPA’s approach reduces duplication, enhances visibility, and simplifies ongoing management:
- Embedded energy networks for streamlined billing and efficient power distribution
- Electric hot water units optimised for high-volume use
- Smart metering that tracks performance, flags anomalies, and supports proactive decision-making
These solutions reduce energy waste, improve cost predictability for both owners and tenants, and align with broader environmental goals. According to a JLL report assessing the net-zero carbon targets of industrial and logistics occupiers, 53% of Australia’s top 100 industrial occupiers have set net-zero targets, and 82% prioritise energy efficiency in their property decisions. Many are also focusing on enhanced green and renewable energy generation, such as rooftop solar panels (64%).
2. Creating safer and more connected industrial spaces
Security and site control are becoming essential in today’s industrial environments. With high-value goods, 24/7 operations, and complex logistics on site, tenants expect both protection and seamless access.
SUPA’s solutions provide owners and operators with better oversight and streamlined management:
- Smart access technologies, including facial recognition and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR)
- Fibre-enabled surveillance systems for high-reliability security
- Integrated management networks, reducing silos and improving response times
By connecting these systems through a single secure network, owners gain real-time visibility and operational control, while providing tenants with a better, more reliable experience.
3. Future-Proofing assets with smart infrastructure
Industrial facilities are becoming more than just storage and warehousing spaces , they’re complex, high-performance environments that must support automation, connectivity, and sustainability goals.
At the same time, inventory is ageing rapidly in Australia’s industrial markets. According to JLL, 75% of industrial and logistics stock in Australia is over 10 years old, making the case for retrofitting stronger than ever, especially as the cost of land and supply constraints limit new development opportunities.
SUPA helps future-proof existing and new assets through infrastructure designed for modern performance:
- Smart meters that enable real-time energy monitoring and analytics
- Superfast fibre networks that support IoT applications, automation, and communication
- EV charging readiness, enabling fleet transformation and tenant alignment with net zero goals
The Bottom Line
With industrial rents rising, leases changing, and over 70% of top industrial occupiers in Sydney and Melbourne having made carbon commitments, future-ready infrastructure isn’t optional, it’s essential.
SUPA is here to help industrial property owners make the most of this opportunity, delivering integrated, smart infrastructure that boosts asset value, improves operational resilience, and keeps tenants satisfied long-term.
Ready to boost long-term asset value and reduce operating costs in your industrial assets?