“We fell that PTP can grow further and create a conducive and competitive environment,” he told Business Times in an interview.

 

Covering 4,650 sq m, Schenker’s distribution centre in PTP will start operation from next month.

 

With the new centre, Schenker is offering a total of 23,250 sq m of space at its seven warehouses nationwide. PTP is Schenker’s seventh distribution centre in the country.

 

Besides PTP, Schenker already has warehouses in Kulim, Kuching, Malacca, Subang Jaya, Shah Alam and ath the KL International Airport.

 

Laabs said PTP has become a success story in Malaysia and Schenker, through its joint-venture company Schenker Malaysia Sdn Bhd, will ij turn benefit from PTP’s strategic location.

 

“PTP is accessible via the North-South Expressway and connects Singapore through the second link with just a 30 minute drive. Soon modern highways are going to link PTP with Pasir Gudang and Senai Airport.

 

“Two major shipping lines – Mearsk Sealand and Evergreen – provide worldwide transport connections. The active support of the PTP authorities has been excellent,” he said.

 

Laabs said the Schenker warehouses is located within the port and being free trade zone area, offers a wide variety of value-added services.

 

“Thus Schenker Malaysia is more than confident that this new logistics facility will provide a competitive edge,” he said.

 

Laabs said he expects the company to spend about RM600,000 on providing information technology equipement, system and manpower.

 

“Like our other warehouses, we are renting the building at PTP as our distribution centre,” he said.

 

On Schenker’s performance in Malaysia, Laabs said the company, being conservative in it prediction, expects to register RM8 million in profit for this year.

 

“Last year, we managed to increase our profit from RM7.5 million in 2001 to RM10 million 2002. But we have to be realistic in our prediction in view of the current uncertain environment like the global economic recession and war,” he said.

 

Laabs said Schenker is active in the automotive and high technology industry. With their just-in-time-delivery concept of parts and spare parts, Schenker is servicing a number of production facilities in the country.

 

With some 300 staff, the company has 10 offices in the country, with its head office in Subang Jaya.

 

Schenker Malaysia is a jojnt venture between Malaysia Tujuan Utama Sdn Bhd holding a 51 per cent stake and Schenker AG the remaining 49 per cent.

 

With annual sales of 6.4 billion euro (1 euro = RM4.07), 35,000 employess and about 1,100 offices worldwide, Schenker, a subsidiary of Stinnes AG, is one of the world’s leading providers of integrated logistics services, offering land transport, air and sea freight as well as comprehensive logistics solutions and global supply chain management from a single source.