FAST Logistics opens two new cold chain hubs amid growing industry

End-to-end logistics and supply chain company FAST Logistics is expanding its presence in the country’s cold chain solutions industry to take advantage of the growing sector.

In a statement on Wednesday, FAST Logistics said it is launching Fresh by FAST, a new generation of temperature-controlled logistics solutions.

Through the Fresh by FAST brand, the logistics company will offer an integration of refrigerated transport, cold storage for frozen and chilled temperatures, value-added services such as blast freezing, meat processing, packaging, and dry warehousing for related items that do not require refrigeration.

In line with the launch of a new service brand, the logistics firm is opening two new cold chain hubs located in Cavite and North Cebu.

“Our new generation cold chain solutions are integrated, intelligent, and flexible, specifically designed to better help companies navigate the evolving supply and demand logistical challenges in the new normal and beyond,” said William Chiongbian II, president and CEO of FAST Logistics Group.

Citing Cold Chain Association of the Philippines president Anthony Dizon, FAST Logistics said the cold chain industry would continue to grow nationwide at a rate of 8% to 10% annually over the next five years.

The growth will be largely driven by population growth, shifting consumer preferences for frozen products, and access to regional export markets with the opening of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) economic community.

FAST Logistics said its North Cebu hub is the Philippines’ first intelligent cold storage facility as it makes use of sensors and new technologies that are also being used in intelligent buildings. 

The cold storage facility is equipped with temperature and humidity sensors that are capable of mobile- and web-based monitoring, offering real-time visibility 24/7 to customers from the comfort of their own homes or offices, it said.

The operations in the Cebu hub, meanwhile, runs on the same warehouse management systems as Asia’s largest warehouses, according to FAST Logistics.

“With the two new hubs open, FAST’s footprint in the cold chain is now at 30,000 pallets,” it said.

The company said it is currently studying other cities and locations for other cold chain hubs. — VBL, GMA News