The warehouse is the Tasmanian Regional Distribution Centre of Statewide Independent Wholesalers, will be used by Woolworths, BWS, Dan Murphy's, IGA and independent retailers, and cost over $120 million to build.

It handles over 36 million cartons a year, with more than 900 trucks going in and out each week handling goods from the 58,000 square metre building.

SIW chairman Paul Graham said the second stage of the warehouse build was incorporating fresh, chilled and frozen rooms for storage, which are now operational.

"We are seeing good growth in Tasmania," he said. "This is an investment in the future of our business."

"We service independent retailers as well as our Woolworths customers from this site, and I think it's a vote of confidence in the future of Tasmania as well as the future of our business."

He said it was the largest distribution centre in Tasmania.

Northern Midlands mayor Mary Knowles said the warehouse, which keeps 400 people in a job, was "absolutely amazing for our area".

"To have more jobs up here is wonderful for us - it's hard to believe it's just over 12 months ago that we turned the first sod," she said.

IN OTHER NEWS: