KENYA – Africa Logistics Properties (ALP), a modern warehousing solutions company recently hosted a Supply Chain Networking Forum aimed at finding solutions key to supply chain technology advancement.

The forum, which coincided with it’s second anniversary since the completion of phase one – ALP North at Tatu City’s Industrial Park, brought together key stakeholders in the Logistics and Supply Chain sector with the aim of generating industry solutions.

The networking forum presented an opportunity for various sectors to discuss the current supply chain challenges and practices, while sharing knowledge on new supply chain innovation and techniques used in Kenya and the wider east African region.

Speaking at the event, Africa Logistics Properties CEO Richard Hough said, “Since setting up operations in Kenya, we as an organisation have noticed various challenges in the East Africa’s Supply Chain ecosystem.

“We are delighted to have our first supply chain breakfast event as a way of creating dialogue to solve some of the key challenges many business’s experience within the Supply Chain ecosystem as well as align key international best practices that are relevant and can be applicable to the East African Region.”

The forum focused on major concern in the supply chain including; improving inventory shrinkage in storage facilities, reducing distribution costs, and cold chain solution within the east African context, among other deliberations.

ALP in tackling supply chain challenges

While matters pertaining to supply chain remain critical to the success of businesses, this has remained a key challenge for practitioners and business owners in the region.

As part of ALP’s efforts towards alleviating the challenges, the company has developed its flagship project ‘ALP Nairobi North’ as Kenya’s first international standard grade-A logistics and distribution centre.

“With ALP logistics centres we are able to provide a key part of the solution and improve distribution in Kenya by streamlining the supply chain and logistics processes,” Hough says.

“Through eliminating shipping and transportation challenges, establishing better ways of storing goods and the effective use of technology.”

The project consists of 47,000sqm of grade-A international standard warehousing on a 22-acre site. The first two phases of the ALP North park are over 82% leased and the third final phase of 19,600sqm was delivered in May 2019. 

Notably, the flagship project won the Best Industrial Project in Africa award at the 2018 Africa Property Awards.

It has also achieved the World Bank’s EDGE building sustainability certification – the very first industrial warehousing complex to achieve this benchmark in Africa. 

Expansion to offer more solutions

In addition to ALP Nairobi North, ALP has also commenced construction of its second logistics and industrial project called ALP Nairobi West on a 49-acre site in Western Nairobi.

The upcoming 100,000 square-meter logistics and distribution warehousing complex will be the largest in East Africa.

This second project aims to attract smaller more modern warehouse units, similar units at ALP North and specialized built to suit options for business’s seeking to move away from traditional land ownership to focusing on their core businesses.

ALP’s strategy is to identify demand-led investment opportunities within Africa that will generate strong returns for its shareholders through the development of industrial real estate projects.

ALP was started by Toby Selman in 2016 to address the lack of modern warehousing and distribution centres across Africa whilst improving logistics and infrastructure in the market.