The boom in online retail sales and increasing demand for manufactured goods have been instrumental in the growth of logistics parks across the world. Logistic parks help to regulate the flow of goods, including transportation, storing and delivery to end customers. While there are a number of Grade A warehouses in India concentrated around Maharashtra and NCR, there is a significant shortage in tier 2 and 3 cities in South India, and Kerala in particular. With a vast coastline, conducive topography and moderate climate, tier 2 and 3 cities in Kerala hold great potential which is yet to be explored.
As construction partner to Unisis Group, Steelion Prefab Infra Solutions Pvt. Ltd. is readying a Smart Logistic Park spread approximately 6.2 acres in Peechanikadu, Angamali (in Ernakulam district, Kerala). This Logistics Park enjoys the advantage of being easily accessible by road (NH544), and is in close proximity to the railway station (Angamali, Chalakudy and Aluva), airport (Cochin International Airport) and seaport (Vallarpadam) which contributes significantly towards good logistics. It holds the capability of being turned into a distribution hub for the whole of Kerala due to its central location and its accessibility via the different transportation channels. The project also offers a lot of potential since Kerala has a highly literate population and high internet penetration with an abundant availability of talent, high employment rates and disposable incomes, a fast-growing consumer market and elevated per capita online spending. Both Steelion and Unisys are passionate about technological innovation and this is being reflected in the Smart Logistics Park project as well.
The Logistics Park is designed as three box buildings consisting of Grade A warehouses, each of which come with attached offices and parking spaces. Steelion’s construction methodology, using our Hybrid Composite Technology, allows for each of the buildings to be constructed based on the requirements of the end user and provides scope for further expansion, as required. Grade A warehouses come with higher roofs, strong and flat floors and more processing docks than conventional warehouses. The buildings boast of roof insulation, high grade flooring and a modern docking system and are being constructed on high ground which protects against waterlogging, caused primarily due to the impact of Kerala monsoons. The building structures have been designed as per IS codes and the AISC norms and incorporate resilient construction elements, comfortable work spaces and a lower impact on the ecosystem in compliance with Health, Safety and Environment regulations. The project is estimated to be completed (up to the stage of possession) within a period of 10 months and is ideally suited for FMCG, E-Commerce, Food Processing, Logistics and Distribution companies.