Logistic Holdings snaps up industrial site in Iskandar
Rennie Whang
The Straits Times
Saturday, Sep 06, 2014
Construction firm Logistics Holdings has bought an industrial plot in Iskandar for RM38.8 million (S$15.3 million).
The 11.5ha freehold site in Senai Industrial Park could accommodate 70 to 80 factory units in light industries, said chief executive officer Phua Lam Soon yesterday.
"While there is potentially an oversupply in the Iskandar residential market, demand for industrial space is rising," he said.
"We foresee that foreign investors, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from Singapore, will move manufacturing operations there due to cost conditions back home."
The industrial park is in Flagship Zone E of Iskandar, where logistics, manufacturing - especially in aerospace and high technology - tourism and Cybercity-related activities are planned.
Scientex Innoparc, a township of more than 100ha that is slated to be a premier industrial hub of factories and residential units, is located just outside the park.
The new Logistics Holdings site is about a 30- minute drive from Woodlands Checkpoint and about 10 minutes from Senai International Airport.
It is also about 2km from the firm's precast factory, which became operational in July to supply its projects. It will likely start selling to third parties next year, said Mr Phua.
Property development and precast manufacturing mark new income streams for the company, which listed on the Catalist board in January last year.
The firm first expanded into property development in June last year, acquiring a freehold residential site in Paya Lebar Crescent.
Construction on eight cluster houses has begun and the company expects to launch in the next one or two months.
But Mr Phua said labour issues and land costs here have led the firm to develop property overseas, adding that it has been eyeing Iskandar for two years.
"Large-scale projects like EduCity have taken shape, as has infrastructure like highways. It's important to move in on opportunities early and now is a good time," he noted.
The company last week announced a full-year net profit of $4.95 million, down 5.4 per cent from the previous year.
The drop was attributed to higher operating expenses such as raised foreign worker levies.
Its order book stands at $356.8 million, including contracts with the Housing Board and the Ministry of Education.
Logistics Holdings shares closed up 1.5 cents at 27 cents yesterday.
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This article was first published on September 04, 2014.
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