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 close 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 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 Katunayake, Seeduwa, the Green Warehouse Complex was ceremoniously opened on February 10 with key government officials in attendance including Prime MP 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 percent ‘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.