Sealing The Deal
Following completion of Panalpinas new warehouse at Dubai South, Logistics News ME catches up with Clinton Campbell, logistics engineer at Panalpina World Transport, and Varun Viswanath, storage and MH solutions, Genavco
In August this year Panalpina World Transport unveiled its new warehouse at Dubai South, where 17,000-pallet position of racking was constructed by Genavco using its Stow Selective Pallet Racking System.
Totalling 40,000sqm, the facility is being launched in phases, with the first phase of 17,000 pallets occupying just 30% of the available floor space.
Varun, explain GENAVCOs entry to the Panalpina project with regard to Stow International; why was the brand considered?
Varun: Stow International is one of the leading and well known racking brands in the world established since 1977 in Wevelgem Belgium, Europe. During our first meetings with Panalpina, we highlighted our expertise in mega warehouse racking projects in the UAE by furnishing the references of IKEA, RHS, IFFCO and many other prestigious projects that we have executed in this Market.
What was Genavcos scope in the project?
Varun: Genavcos Scope was to supply and install Stow Selective Pallet Racking System for Storage of about 17,000+ pallet locations in their newly constructed 40,000sqm state of the art facility in Dubai South.
How long did the negotiations take to finalise?
Varun: Well it took about three months to finalise the deal. There were a lot of efforts from our design team to present various options to customer to meet up the expectation of the client.
Why do you believe Genavco was awarded the contract?
Varun: For our professional approach, efficiency in providing right solution at right time and our market references were the key factors helped us to win this prestigious deal.
What practical challenges did the Stow team encounter in the execution stages and how did you surmount the problems?
Varun: The biggest challenge in front of us was to execute racking in a warehouse under construction. But our project team has managed it very well, also our sincere thanks to Amana Contracting team – the civil contractor indeed helped us with necessary clearances to complete the project on agreed timelines.
Clinton, tell us about the new facility and why it was needed
Clinton: Panalpina has invested heavily in its growth plans for the Middle East, Africa and CIS Region, (MEAC). These growth plans include a 40,000sqm built-to-suit, state-of-the-art new facility in the Dubai South Free Zone. Genavco / Stow was then approached to design and construct in excess of 17,000 new pallet positions for the facility.
How intense was the bidding / competition for this project?
Clinton: We had a racking tender which we opened up to five providers, including Genavco. Face to Face meetings were held with all five providers.
How would you describe the selection, evaluation and assessment procedures at Panalpina?
Clinton: The decision to work with a provider is not made purely on price alone. Panalpina wanted to build a relationship with a partner for the future. 17,000 pallet positions is only the start and covers less than 30% of the floor area, we wanted a strong partner who could understand and meet our growing needs.
