|
|
THE Bersatu group, a one-stop total logistics services provider, is
investing about RM32mil in a piece of land in Port Klang and the
construction of its new warehouse there.
Managing director Ben Leong said Bersatu had just bought 12ha for RM20mil
and would be developing a 200,000sq ft of warehouse costing RM12mil.
“This is to cater to the increasing demand of our existing customers as well
as to attract new clients,” he said in an interview, adding that it expected
the warehouse to be ready for operation in two years.
Leong said the rest of the land would be utilised for future expansion.
With the new warehouse, Bersatu will have a total of 470,000 sq ft warehouse
space in Port Klang. In addition, the group operates a 25,000 sq ft
warehouse in Kuching and a 15,000 sq ft warehouse in Kota Kinabalu.
In terms of throughput, Bersatu expects to increase its cargo handling
volume domestically by 5% to this year due to growing consumer market in
East Malaysia.
Since 1985, the company has been providing comprehensive services to
facilitate the complex task of moving all types of cargo to all parts of
East Malaysia as well as Brunei.
“We have developed ourselves to be a leader in this niche market of
consolidating cargoes to be shipped between Peninsular and East Malaysia.
“There are a lot of manufacturers in the peninsula like Bata and Nestle. We
do full container load and less than container load consolidation and
distributed the goods right to the doorsteps of retailers in East Malaysia
where there is currently an expanding consumer market.
“Through our local branches there, we are able to fulfil the needs of most
hypermarkets in East Malaysia on time, efficiently and at competitive prices
,” he said.
Bersatu handles an average of 5,000 containers per month for both the
domestic and international segments. In Peninsular Malaysia, Leong said,
besides its main headquarters in Port Klang, the group had set up branches
in Penang, Ipoh and Johor Baru.
“Through our branches (as opposed to appointed agents), we'll have better
control of our business, networking and customer service,” he said.
In total, Bersatu has 14 branches all over Malaysia, including East
Malaysia.
Internationally, Leong said, the company had formed many joint ventures
(JVs) around the globe and forecast more than a 5% growth this year in terms
of 20-ft equivalent units (TEUs) handled.
“Last year we handled about 6,000 TEUs in the global market, and through our
joint ventures, we are looking forward to a further increase this year,” he
said.
Recently it secured JV partners in South Africa, Indonesia, Australia,
Singapore, Bangkok, China, Hong Kong and the Middle East.
“This translates into services that cover six continents with more than 300
strategically located business partners,” he said.
“By having JV partners overseas, the company have better management of cargo
movements that resulted a more secure and comprehensive service to
customers.
“We do this by combining resources, infrastructure and expertise with our
international partners that are not only efficient but also cost-effective.”
Bersatu recorded a turnover of RM120mil last year and is expecting a 5%
growth this year.
Local and international businesses contributed equally to revenue. Bersatu,
established 22 years ago by Leong's late father Leong Kong Seng, has since
transformed itself from a Customs brokerage company to a total logistics
solution provider.
|
