$10m confidence vote in Christchurch and the South Island

$10m confidence vote in Christchurch and the South Island

Confidence in the future of Christchurch and the growing trade strength of the South Island was evidenced today with the opening of SB Global Logistics’ new $10 million office and warehouse facility at Dakota Park, Christchurch Airport.

Prime Minister John Key officially opened the building this afternoon.

Established in 1990, SB Global Logistics’ investment in the new facility and the accompanying technology required in today’s increasingly sophisticated global supply chain reflects the great changes in the international freight forwarding and logistics markets in the last 20 years.

Steve Bateman, director of SB Global Logistics, said that today’s market is not just about moving a pallet or container of product or items, but about the access to information and the value added services that we provide customers.

“Growth in international freight forwarding and third party logistics today is systematic of the sophistication of global trade and also the continued emergence of huge markets such as India and China.

“For instance, e-commerce is forcing us to become more advanced in the way we do business. We have companies, sometimes selling individual units, requiring us to not only warehouse their products but sometimes conduct quality control, re-label, re-package and provide customised packaging.

SB Global Logistics employs 55 people and is involved in the handling of export, import cargo and managed warehousing and distribution. It offers transport services throughout the world with particular focus on Australia, Asia, Europe and America.

“One of the points that separates us from our opposition is the unique and distinctive partnership we have with global logistics leader, DB Schenker, which has offices in 2000 locations around the world, 95,000 employees and a turnover last year of 20 billion Euros.

“It really means we can focus strongly on the local market yet still have access to an incredible international reach,” he said.

The $10 million investment in the 5000 sq. m purpose-built facility brings all the company’s activities under one roof with plenty of room on the 13,500 sq. m site for further expansion.

“This is not about growth in relation to the Christchurch rebuild, although there is a bit of that, it is about our genuine confidence in Christchurch and the South Island. Originally exporting was the stronger side of the business, but in recent years importing has grown to be 64% of the business.

“This is in part due to the strong dollar and the growth of imported finished products and we have also had strong growth in the aerospace sector which makes up 15% of our freight forwarding business, bringing in critical and urgent parts for the maintenance and servicing of aircraft.

“There is a rapidly escalating demand for New Zealand perishable foods such as stone fruit, meat, dairy and fish, and SB will shortly be launching its new SB cool chain service which will be an investment in highly skilled people to handle the export needs of our New Zealand producers,” he said.

With an appetite for acquisition, as evidenced by the recent purchase of locally owned freight forwarding company Cunninghame Global Logistics, the bank of land around the new facility could prove a shrewd investment.

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