Australia’s Toll Group has started work on a A$228m (€151m) logistics hub in Singapore to strengthen its Asia network in its first major international move since being acquired by Japan Post.
The start of construction work yesterday was marked with a ceremony attended by Singapore’s Minister of State for Trade and Industry, Teo Ser Luck, Toll Global Logistics CEO Chris Pearce and Adrian Lochrin, Chargé d'Affaires at the Australian High Commission.
The five-storey 100,000 sqm building, known as ‘Toll City’, will be an integrated warehouse near Tuas Port offering state-of-the-art automated supply chain management services upon completion in mid-2017.
Toll City’s proximity to road links to Malaysia and the growing Jurong region makes the facility an excellent land-sea interface for its customers. It also coincides with the planned 2020 completion of the Tuas Port which will consolidate all of Singapore’s container operations in one terminal and handle up to 65 million TEUs per year when fully operational, the company pointed out.
Pearce said the development is a key part of Toll’s strategy to strengthen its presence in the Asia Pacific region and to continue providing best-in-class supply chain solutions across different market sectors.
“The size and scope of this investment is a testament to Toll’s intent to achieve supply chain excellence in Asia Pacific for its customers,” he said. “Toll City will redefine warehousing solution options for its customers through leading-edge technology and innovation in a world class facility. We will be ready to increase Toll’s productivity and meet warehousing capacity demand in a region that is set to become one of the largest economic blocs in the world.”
Some of the high-tech options being reviewed for the Toll City development include high-speed unit picking, voice picking and intelligent conveyor systems. The integrated transport and warehouse systems are complemented by energy-efficient initiatives including rain water harvesting and energy monitoring.
Singapore Economic Development Board Assistant Managing Director Kelvin Wong, who also attended the ceremony, said the investment marks another significant milestone in Toll’s presence in Singapore.
“The success of Singapore as a world-leading logistics hub stems from the close collaborations with key industry players, such as Toll Group,” he said. “Toll City demonstrates Singapore’s position as a strategic base for regional supply chain operations, as well as Toll Group’s commitment to set new benchmarks for Singapore’s logistics industry by creating solutions that drive productivity growth.”
Toll also highlighted its training programmes for local employees to upgrade their skills in line with Singapore’s ‘Smart Nation’ vision. Training programmes have been developed in collaboration with the country’s Workforce Development Agency (WDA).
Assistant Chief Executive Officer for JTC Corporation’s Cluster Group Ms Eunice Koh, said: “We congratulate Toll Group on the groundbreaking of its state-of-the-art logistics hub. Toll City represents next-generation warehousing facility that optimises land use and increases labour productivity. JTC will continue to work with industry players to support the development of facilities that aim to improve operational efficiency, thereby catalysing industry transformation.”
