GMAC Davao Cold Storage breaks ground at AIE

GMAC Davao Cold Storage breaks ground on Tuesday (Mar.12)at the AIE signaling a more strengthened food safety and preservation in Mindanao.

The facility can store up to 12,000 industrial pallets to help address the growing cold storage demand of several industries in Mindanao.

It is the second cold storage facility of GMAC, the first of which recently opened in Cagayan de Oro City with more than 5,000 industrial pallets.

AC Logistics is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ayala Corporation holding a portfolio of logistics companies while GMI  is touted as one of the largest cold storage and logistical services providers in the Philippines. It has been in the industry since 2005.

Arturo Yan, the CEO of GMI and GMAC chairman at a press conference shortly after the groundbreaking said the 12,000 pallets could approximately store and preserve 12 million kilos of perishable products.

He said GMAC Davao Cold Storage could be considered one of the biggest and GMAC is eyeing to expand more in the light of an increasing demand for cold chain solutions nationwide.

The new cold storage facility is expected to start operations by the first quarter of 2025.

“Biggest? Well yes with the cold chain growing by 10 percent we need to expand more if we want to keep our distance from our competitors we must expand our capacity twice in the next five years that’s the direction; we will continue to build huge facilities depending on the size of the demand,” he said, though he confirmed that they are not likely to buildcold storage facilities in smaller cities.

Yan said GMAC Davao will cater to various industries in Mindanao and can go into exporting and importing once it is fully operational.

“There is also an opportunity to export it (goods) outside Mindanao towards other places other than Mindanao to make more sense. So, there are two clients, one export goods outside Davao and the finished products going inside Mindanao,” he said.

AC Logistics chief commercial officer Nona Torres is optimistic GMAC cold storage facilities could cater to the increasing spoilage problem in various industries.  “There is a high rate of spoilage all over we hope we will be able to fill those gaps. I know it’s a very complex situation food storage is just one component hope we can help in this concern,” she said.

She also revealed the joint venture is eyeing to build more cold storage facilities in strategic locations specifically in Visayas and Luzon areas.

Yan mentioned Basilan and General Santos of Mindanao as GMAC’s prospects for cold storage.

Damosa Land President Ricardo Lagdameo has vowed full support to GMAC Davao Cold Storage same with other AIE locators who are mostly in the agribusiness sector.

GMAC he said, is the 23rd investor that has located to AIE.

“ Here we have several locators we have to convince them this industrial park is the right place they are in,  later they ask us to help them on regulatory matters it’s a partnership in the sense we are supportive,” he said.

Of the total 63 hectares encompassing AIE, roughly about 12 to 15 hectares remain and open for lease or development, he said. Text and photos Judy Quiros

From Left: Ricardo "Carry" F. Lagdameo-president of DamosaLand of the Anfo Group of Companies aand Anflo Industrial Estate,  Arturo Yan- president. CEO GMI and chairman of GMAC, Gregorio U. Dujali-vice mayor Panabo City, Nona Torres-AC Logistics chief commercial officer, and two Panabo City councilors