Malaysian logistics firms join forces

Malaysia’s Kontena Nasional will team up with chill and frozen transporter Gerimis Baiduri, in an effort to gain ground in the cold chain industry, as part of its goal to be the country's main total logistics provider, reported Dow Jones Newswires.

It expects the venture to increase revenue contribution from the halal cold chain logistics division up to US$8.19 million this year.

The agreement between the two will see them cross-sell services between their respective clients, as well as see a transfer of expertise.

"Gerimis Baiduri excels in transport and logistics for the frozen and chill industry, while we (Kontena Nasional) have the full utilisation of storage infrastructure from north to south," Kontena Nasional chief executive officer Hood Osman told reporters after the signing ceremony in Selangor.

The haulage and warehousing company is relatively new in the cold chain segment, having only entered into it last year. It currently has two cold warehouses, which are halal certified.

Gerimis Baiduri is a certified halal cold chain transporter, established in 2000.

In an effort to support the partnership, Kontena Nasional plans to lease another three cold warehouses this year, as well as spend $4 million in the conversion of 30 of its trucks into refrigerated ones and improving information technology systems.
Kontena Nasional has a fleet of 500 prime movers.

Gerimis Baiduri, will double its capital expenditure this year to invest in 50 trucks as a start.

It currently has a fleet of more than 220 trucks.
(Source:www.cargonewsasia.com)