Maersk and Barry Callebaut Group, a leading manufacturer of high-quality chocolate and cocoa products, have signed a long-term agreement to set up and operate a new Built-To-Suit cocoa bean warehousing and dispatching unit in Malaysia. A ground-breaking ceremony of this dedicated facility was held in Pasir Gudang, Malaysia.
Read: May 2023 Issue of Food InfoTech Magazine.
This warehouse contributes to Barry Callebaut’s strategic growth goal of providing high-quality cocoa and chocolate products and services to consumers in Malaysia and the Asia Pacific area. It also demonstrates Maersk’s ambition to expand current ocean and landside logistics services into a comprehensive end-to-end logistics solution for its customers.
This new multi-story complex, located in the Johor Bahru area, the main industrial zone in the city of Pasir Gudang near the Johor port, is one of the largest cocoa bean warehouses in Southeast Asia. It covers more than half a million square feet and has a purpose-built design that prioritises operational efficiency. It is also one kilometre near the cocoa processing factory of Barry Callebaut in Pasir Gudang, Malaysia.
Commenting on the partnership, Elie Fouché, Vice-President Cocoa for Region Asia Pacific at Barry Callebaut said, ‘‘Barry Callebaut has operated in Asia Pacific since 1997 and we continue to invest in this region. We are excited to evolve our long-term partnership with Maersk to enhance the resilience of our supply chain. The new warehouse allows us to have better control over our cocoa bean qualities and this ultimately supports our ambitious growth plans in the region.’’
Elaine Low, Area Managing Director, Maersk Southeast Asia said, ‘‘We are pleased that Barry Callebaut has chosen us as their long-term logistics partner, and the enhanced warehousing and dispatching facility is essential to help them rapidly respond to the changing market conditions. As Maersk is becoming a global integrator of container logistics, our strength of integrated service offerings will continue to help Barry Callebaut achieve greater efficiency within their supply chain.’’
The Built-To-Suit warehousing and dispatching facility is expected to be completed by the end of second quarter in 2024. It will be equipped with cutting-edge technology and sustainable solutions like solar panel roofs, LED lights and natural ventilation, which improve the environmental footprint.