JWDs intl seafood storage sustainability certifications win customer trust, drive 55,000sq.m. cold storages occupancy ratio to 88% at Q2 End

JWD declared its success in the cold storage segment as the international licences and certificates acquired increased customer confidence and led to the occupancy ratio of its cold storage plants (55,000sq.m.) as at the end of Q2 reaching 88%. It also noted the ongoing two-phase construction (THB 460 million) of a new Mahachai cold storage, to be equipped with labour-replacing robot technology, phase 1 of which is expected to begin commercial operation in next year's Q3.

Mr Charvanin Bunditkitsada, Chairman of the Executive Committee and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of JWD InfoLogistics Public Company Limited (JWD), a leading Asean-based 'Total Logistics Solutions Provider', revealed that JWD posted satisfactory H1 results for the cold storage segment thanks to export growths and greater demand for consumption of frozen seafood and other products compared to the previous year and the resulting healthy growth in the segment. He highlighted an average occupancy ratio (as at the end of Q2) of 88% for its 55,000sq.m. total storage capacity, which can handle 0.1 million tonnes of storage items.

Mr Jitchai Nimitpanya, deputy CEO, noted that JWD's cold storage business benefited from higher customer confidence following the company's achievement in obtaining special licences and certificates that provide solutions for local products, especially an MSC Licence and an ASC Certificate for its Mahachai plant (situated in Samut Sakhon, a national hotspot of fishery and seafood storage and distribution activities), EST No 250 (required for poultry export to the EU and Japan) for its plant at Bang Na - Trat KM 19 (Samut Prakan) and a Halal certificate for its Suwinthawong plant (Chachoengsao). The Mahachai plant is the first and only cold storage in Samut Sakhon to have been granted an MSC Licence from Marine Stewardship Council for its satisfaction of sustainable natural fishing standards as well as an ASC Certificate from Aquaculture Stewardship Council for its seafood's compliance with sustainable aquaculture standards, both of which guarantee the traceability of seafood from its origin to the hands of the consumer and the employment of proper mechanisms to ensure the sustainability and stability of Thailand's marine ecological system. The Samut Prakan plant is the first cold storage to be certified for EST No 250.

"The acquisition of those international licences and certificates for our cold storages has enhanced our competitive advantages as the recent 'yellow-card' warning by the EU over Thailand's illegal, unreported and unregulated (or IUU) fishing issues has led to food exporters' demand for cold storage with such licences and certificates. It also promotes the export to Europe", said the deputy CEO.

The CEO added that the company is building a new 5,620sq.m. cold storage (called "Building 8") in Mahachai as a most advanced cold storage plant in Thailand, which will cost around THB 460 million and be equipped with labour-replacing ASRS technology. It is currently constructing the building structure. The construction is in two phases: phase 1 (4,300sq.m.) and phase 2 (1,320sq.m.). Phase 1 is expected to begin commercial operation in Q3 2019.