Access World Logistics, a joint venture between RHS Group, Dubai, and Switzerland-based Access World, has inaugurated a state-of-the-art third party logistics and warehousing facility in the Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA).
The facility was built over a 40,000sqm plot with a total investment of about AED40mn ($10.89mn), according to a official statement.
The facility, with a storage capacity in excess of 100,000 freight tonnes of multiple products, has a 15,200sqm covered warehouse with very narrow aisle (VNA) racking systems as well as bulk-stowage space, and air-conditioned as well as ambient-temperature warehousing space, plus an open-storage yard of about 7,500sqm.
The fast-track project was completed in less than 10 months from the ground-breaking, which was held in July. The logistics company is also in the process of commissioning a 1 MWp roof-top photovoltaic (PV) panel system to meet most of its power requirements through solar energy.
The event was attended by dignitaries from DP World, Dubai Customs, the London Metal Exchange, Commercial Bank of Dubai, clients, key members from the logistics fraternity, contractors, consultants, service providers, as well as senior management of Access World & RHS Group.
The welcome address was delivered by Peter M Waszkis, CEO, Access World, following which, a felicitation ceremony was held to honour DP World, Dubai Customs, the LME and project engineers/supervisors who managed the high quality and incident-free project.
Waszkis said: We have grown from a small localised family-owned company in the 1930s, to a global organisation spanning 25 countries, over 100 warehouses and a 1000+ strong workforce. Today, we are part of London Stock Exchange-listed Glencore Group, the Swiss commodities giant. Our organisation has strived to change, adapt, grow and evolve to meet the demands of the businesses and markets we operate in globally handling, transporting and storing goods from the deepest darkest Africa to the Chinese Hinterland; from the Andes in Peru to the outskirts of Busan.
He added: Our vision is to deliver value to all stakeholders by providing comprehensive logistics solutions in a competitive, efficient and safe environment. Today is the culmination of a dream project, yet is just the beginning of a long and hopefully rewarding journey. We invite you to grow your businesses with us, as we aim to grow ours, with you.”
Kishore Natarajan, general manager of Access World Logistics, added that at this new facility, the company intends to provide the full range of logistics and warehousing services for non-ferrous metals, steel and OCTG, soft commodities, excise goods, wood products, paper and pulp, petrochemicals, industrial raw materials, project cargo, heavy machinery, automotive goods, FMCG and an array of general cargo.