Frasers Property Industrial (Thailand) leads the way in omnichannel support

The company was awarded at the Real Estate Asia Awards 2022.

Many properties stagnated as companies started moving to a more digital approach to operations, whether it be remote working or shifting to e-commerce. Frasers Property Industrial (Thailand) or “FPIT” leveraged on the latter, working with Central Retail on a new omnichannel distribution centre, winning the Industrial Development of the Year - Thailand Award at the Real Estate Asia Awards 2022. 

The awards programme recognises significant breakthroughs, innovations, and key players in the real estate industry of Asia, and FPIT’s development efforts with Central Retail’s new omnichannel distribution centre set them apart from their competition. 

FPIT and Central Retail have been working together on a best-in-class distribution centre to enhance the efficiency of logistics and distribution operations whilst uplifting quality of life through a human-centric design approach that promotes work-life balance. This flagship project of FPIT for Central Retail’s campus is regarded as the first pioneering distribution centre campus for sustainability in Thailand. It fulfils the customer's pathway to sustainable operations in a holistic view: social sustainability and eco-sustainability.

Through a good partnership between FPIT and Central Retail, both parties bringing all their best practices and new ideas to create and innovate this meaningful logistics facility on the land size of  105,408 sqm with a gross floor area of 76,314 sqm. This project was executed on 1 April 2018 and finished on 31 August 2021.

The land is strategically located on Bangna-Trad Road Km.19 which enables Central Retail to develop a cost-effective supply chain by consolidating many warehouse units nearby into this new development. This location is also competitive in reaching Bangkok's big stores as well as going to other regional stores across Thailand via the highway network connected to this Bangna-Trad road. 

The Built-to-Suit (BTS) development is a hybrid of 5-tonne/15-metre and 10-tonne/25-metre ambient warehouse for a long lease term. The new warehouse will support Central Retail’s plan for a future omnichannel platform that delivers seamless shopping experiences by connecting offline and online to serve evolving future needs in the digital era. 

Modern office concept, breakout area, running track, indoor multi-purpose court, open concept canteen and sustainable building design etc. enable staff creation for joy and meaningful engagement and working towards a better lifestyle. These new features will also help retaining warehouse staff as well as creating an attractive corporate image. 

With the large footprint of the building over 75,000sqm where more than 500 staff and many big and smaller trucks come hourly into the area, safety around the site is the key concern. The planned uniflow traffic for heavy trucks reduces cross-traffic and two-way confusion, especially during peak operational hours along with provisions for 5 emergency exits for fire engine access.

With both the teams working through a collaborative approach, sharing the same goal and vision, this omnichannel distribution centre was handed over to Central Retail in a timely fashion in spite of the unprecedented COVID-19 situation. The project has delivered a positive business impact to both the customer and FPIT and is a true testament to value creation, efficiency, collaboration, delight, and boldness.

The Real Estate Asia Awards 2022 is presented by Real Estate Asia. To view the full list of winners, click here. If you want to join the 2023 awards programme and be acclaimed for your company's innovative real estate developments, please contact Julie Anne Nuñez at [email protected].