ALLHC inaugurates ALogis Artico Santo Tomas

AyalaLand Logistics Holdings Corp. (ALLHC) recently celebrated a significant milestone with the ceremonial opening of its latest facility, ALogis Artico Santo Tomas. This pivotal moment marks ALLHC’s first cold storage facility constructed from the ground up, distinguishing itself from the company’s previous acquisitions.

Adding 5,000 pallet positions to ALLHC’s existing cold storage portfolio, ALogis Artico Santo Tomas now bolsters the company’s capability to 15,300 pallet positions across four facilities. Equipped with 16 cold rooms featuring temperatures ranging from 5°C to -25°C and powered by renewable energy, the facility underscores ALLHC’s steadfast dedication to sustainable practices.

Strategically positioned within the Light Industry & Science Park III in Sto. Tomas, Batangas, ALogis Artico Santo Tomas conveniently addresses the surging demand for cold storage solutions in the South Luzon region. Its proximity to Manila via the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR Tollway) ensures accessibility, while the Batangas Port being just an hour’s drive away ensures efficient transportation of goods.

Robert S. Lao, President and CEO of ALLHC, expressed, “We also aim to help address issues of food safety and security, and to support the country’s growing cold chain sector and its supply chain logistics. Moreover, we look forward to our latest development further energizing the city of Santo Tomas, and the whole of Batangas.”

To ensure adherence to regulatory standards, the facility will be registered with key authorities including the BOI (Board of Investments), NMIS (National Meat Inspection Service), BFAR (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources), and BPI (Bureau of Plant Industry). Catering to clients from frozen meat, seafood, chemical industries, and beyond, ALogis Artico Santo Tomas is poised to become a key asset in the supply chain ecosystem.

“We, at NMIS, support the establishment of this kind of facility that can follow standard. I believe the more we have accredited cold storages, the more sources we have of safe meat. This is our aspiration for the protection of the meat-consuming public,” shared Dr. Fernando N. Lontoc, Director (Region 4A), National Meat Inspection Service.

Aileen P. Macapagal, Supervising Investments Specialist, Board of Investments stated, “Food security is a top priority for the government, and the Board of Investments recognizes cold storage facilities as vital investments. These projects not only secure food for Filipino families but also generate jobs, having a transformative impact on our economy and national profile.”

Anna Ma. Margarita B. Dy, President and CEO of Ayala Land, Inc. (ALI) and Chairman of ALLHC, shared, “Using the strength of Ayala Land’s strategically located landbank and financial stability, we aim to be a major player in the cold storage space. As a relatively new player in the market, our intention is to achieve consistent double-digit growth for this business line in the next 5 years.”

As the company continues to expand its footprint in the cold storage sector, it remains steadfast in its commitment to contributing meaningfully to food security and supply chain efficiency, aligning with broader national priorities. Ms. Dy adds, “The team has high aspirations on what we can do to be a major player in the industry, and in the process, contribute to the country’s goals of food security, and hopefully, also to bring down food prices as we improve distribution all around the country.”