Global park opens first ‘Green’ warehouse in Sri Lanka

Global Park, the logistics centre of Sri Lankan logistics giant Global Transportation Logistics, is the current regional hub chosen  by the UK retail fashion giant Marks & Spencer (M&S), as the international logistics hub for all garments manufactured under the M&S label in Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh. M&S with an annual turnover of nearly GBP 10 billion has a retail operation of 700 stores in the UK and 300 retail stores including Franchised Stores in over 40 countries.

This initial hub operation in Sri Lanka is a novel concept, a first of its kind in the local Industry which was possible due to the invaluable assistance provided by the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka customs and various other government agencies, who understood the importance of this project to position our country as the first international logistics hub in Sri Lanka handling multi country consolidation and distribution to various countries.

Subsequently with the success of the initial venture, M&S decided to expand the scope of the operation and to use the Global Park Hub to import, store and to distribute products to their International stores located in over 40 countries outside the UK.

Global Park is a state-of-the-art bonded warehouse facility located in close proximity to the Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport with easy access to the Port of Colombo,

As a pro-active logistics provider and a premier warehouse in the region, Global Park has been developing many cutting edge solutions to provide value added services with the necessary quality standards , to cater to their clientele that comprises of many well known international retailers.

In keeping with the latest innovations and growth in green technologies, and with sustainability at the forefront of business and purchase decisions among top international buyers, Global Park initiated the commissioning of the first ever green warehouse complex in Sri Lanka.

Global Park has set this project as one of its top priorities, to ensure that Sri Lanka continues to be competitive in its chosen markets.

Located in Katunanayake, Seeduwa, the Green Warehouse Complex was ceremoniously opened on 10 February this year with key government officials in attendance including Prime Minister D.M Jayaratne, Leader of the Opposition Ranil Wickremasinghe, Minister John Amaratunga and Minister Rajitha Senaratne.

Many dignitaries from the embassies and high commissions and other distinguished guests were also present at this occasion. Other participants included, Jason Keegan, Neil Firth, Simon Doyle, Barry Wallace, all of M&S UK, and Ricky Silva, of RJV International.

The 100 per cent ‘green’ complex offers a sizeable 700,000 square feet of purpose-built, state-of-the-art facilities, including a ‘garments on hangers’ (GOH) facility that can handle a capacity of over two million garments, making it the largest such centre in Sri Lanka.

These value additions are combined with an ultra-modern vacuum packing plant, as well as garment finishing and consolidating services.

In keeping with the highest international standards for green construction, the complex utilised recycled concrete, steel, asphalt and other materials in its construction to ensure significant environmentally-friendly benefits and features that ensure the lowest carbon footprint for a facility of this size.

“We have placed significant stress on energy consumption and the lighting used also ensures lower levels of carbon dioxide and 60 per cent reduction in consumption. All paints, adhesives, sealants and coatings used were chosen with an eye on the emission levels of volatile organic compounds, while carpeting and furniture are made from recycled materials,” said Global Park General Manager Priyanka Dissanayake.

“There are many discussions in various forums to transform Sri Lanka into a logistics hub given the strategic location of the country in the international maritime route. Not only has Global Park already achieved the status as the first Logistics Hub in the country, we are delighted to see the opening of the very first Green Warehouse in Sri Lanka and commend them for taking a bold step in investing in this venture which is another first in the industry here,” said Global Park Marketing Manager Induka Ranawaka.

We are also happy that this venture will bring in additional revenue and other benefits to the country,” Ranawaka further stated.

Industry heavy weights such as Hirdaramani, Brandix and MAS Holdings are large suppliers to M&S and with the addition of the Green Warehouse Complex by Global Park, Sri Lanka will be an important base for Marks & Spencer.

Elaborating further on the ground-breaking venture Dissanayake added: “We are proud to be at the forefront in the effort to protect our environment as well as continuing efforts to develop a greener business climate to protect our customers’ business.

Many of the aspects of ‘green’ business in a supply chain are related to greater productivity, which is always a goal of supply-chain management.

The success of this venture we hope will encourage many other retailers of the calibre of M & S to look at Sri Lanka in a positive manner and attract them to work with us.”