The new complex will incorporate some of the latest energy-saving and eco-friendly equipment and techniques, such as solar-powered lighting, while providing UFL with the space to grow its business as the world economy recovers.
The multi-storey facility is set to become the icon of UFL's facilities at China's most important airfreight gateway in a city that has developed into mainland China's most important freight transportation gateway and hub.
UFL Chief Executive Officer, Simon Wong describes the development as a landmark investment. During an economic downturn in China and many other world markets, this is a clear demonstration of the company's support for the Chinese government's strategic plan to make Shanghai the country's key logistics centre and UFL's commitment to expanding its infrastructure across China.
Mr. Wong says: 'This development, just a few minutes from Shanghai Pudong International airport, cements our position in the region and I look forward to bringing it on-line next year. With better transit times and airside connectivity we have designed this new location to provide the ultimate smooth traffic flows to, from and within the warehousing complex.
'Furthermore, one of Shanghai's most strategic ports at Yang Shan is less than 30 minutes away, which will enable us to use the new facility for our ever-expanding oceanfreight forwarding activities to and from the region served via the Shanghai gateway. The warehouse will also serve as a convenient CFS for oceanfreight handling and processing.
'Whilst the overall design reflects and responds to the needs of customers in a cost-effective and convenient location, we have future-proofed the design by building-in excess capacity. This means that as the Chinese and global economy recovers over the next few years, we will be equipped to handle growing volumes of Chinese imports and exports with considerable ease.'
The warehouse, which has ceilings seven meters high, will have three floors with a total footprint of 30,000 sq m, while the adjoining seven-storey office facility will provide 12,500 sq m of accommodation.
On each of the three floors there will be 15 loading docks. The top floor will house a temperature-controlled logistics facility, rooms for refrigerated and frozen cargoes, as well as an area dedicated to high-value cargoes.
It will offer multi-function logistics solutions to UFL and its customers for transit, storage, palletization, logistics and temperature-controlled storage and distribution.
In a further demonstration of UFL's environmental commitment, 25% of the total land area covered by the development will be soft-landscaped.
Mr. Wong concludes: 'We have not just built this facility to be a functional freight location. We want this complex to become an icon, a symbol of UFL's presence in this key Chinese gateway and are already looking forward to taking occupancy next year when we will be able to bring its advantages to Shanghai's freight and logistics community.
"With competition in this marketplace ever-increasing, we remain committed to the ongoing development of our network and personnel in China which remains our focal point as we try to capitalize on the leading position that we have established in the country over the last 20 years.'
