The Business Bytes
TBB BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR, JULY 29, 2022
Integrated logistics service provider Balmer Lawrie & Co. Ltd. on Friday announced the unveiling of its new state-of-the-art Cold Chain Unit at Bhubaneswar in Odisha.
Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Rameswar Teli inaugurated the Cold Chain facility in the presence of Balmer Lawrie Chairman & Managing Director Adika Ratna Sekhar and other senior officials of the Company virtually.
The Cold Chain Unit at Chhatabar near the Capital City of Odisha is Balmer Lawrie’s first such Unit in the Eastern Region and fourth in the country. The Company has been aggressively enhancing its presence in providing cold chain solutions through its brand LOGICOLD. The setting up of the Cold Chain Unit at Bhubaneswar is in line with Government of India’s “Act East ” policy and “AtmaNirbhar Bharat ” initiative.
The commissioning of the Cold Chain Unit at Bhubaneswar is a significant milestone in BalmerLawrie’s Logistics roadmap.
The Cold Chain Unit in this region will cater to the growing demands of seafood, dairy, agri-products industries, pharma and Quick Service Restaurants (QSR), said CMD Ratna Sekhar.
““Odisha being the 4th largest fish producing state with a nine-fold increase in sea food exports in last two decades, our Cold Chain Unit at Bhubaneswar is the perfect “go-to” infrastructure for seafood exporters in this region. It is ably supported by the Company’s own fleet of Temperature Controlled Vehicles (TCVs) which ensure last mile delivery,” he added.
A total investment of Rs. 32 crore was made to set up the Cold Chain Unit at Bhubaneswar.
The Cold Chain Unit in Odisha is strategically located and is in close proximity to the national highway making it convenient for the customers. It is equipped with latest refrigeration technology and automated product handling with minimum human contact with food and food grade products ensuring product safety and integrity. The advanced set up is ideal for not only quality food product for export but also domestic storage of fruits and vegetables particularly potatoes in controlled temperatures.
The Bhubaneswar Cold Chain Unit is spread over 1.5 acres and with a storage capacity of 2000 pallets (frozen) and 3000 MT (chilled/ambient) caters to various industrial segments. The Unit has the FSSAI, MPEDA, Factories and Boilers Act 1948 and PCB certifications and the Fire & Safety license.
Adhip Nath Palchaudhuri, Director [Service Businesses] and RM Uthayaraja, Director [Manufacturing Businesses] were also present on the occasion. BalmerLawrieLOGICOLD has already marked its presence in Southern (Hyderabad), Northern (Rai, Delhi NCR) and Western (Patalganga, Navi Mumbai) parts of India and now with footprints in the Eastern region, along with itsTCVs, the SBU: Cold Chainis all set to service pan India customers as a one-stop shop Cold Chain solutions provider. The SBU has already created its brand presence during COVID-19by handling two COVID-19 vaccines – Covaxin and Sputnik from its Hyderabad unit. The SBU has further been the trusted partner catering to the top tier QSR.
