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FAST Logistics is acquiring 20 electric vehicles this year at the same time expanding its warehousing footprint nationwide
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The company deployed its first EV vehicle last February and now has four operational units
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Another 100 EVs will be acquired in the next few years
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FAST will add 50,000 pallet positions and six more warehouses until 2026
FAST Logistics is acquiring 20 electric vehicles this year while simultaneously expanding its warehousing footprint nationwide.
The company deployed its first EV vehicle in February and now has four operational units, FAST chief solutions officer for logistics Israel “Ely” Baleta told PortCalls at the sidelines of the recent Central Luzon Transport & Trade Conference 2024 in Clark, Pampanga. The May 24 conference was co-organized by PortCalls and the Philippine Multimodal Transport and Logistics Association, Inc.
There are plans to acquire 100 more units in the coming years.
The acquisition of EVs is in support of FAST’s investment in sustainability in its operations, and is supported by commitments from various principals and clients also aiming to reduce their carbon emissions.
The company’s EVs have a total capacity of 3.6 tons and with a full load that can run up to 280 kilometers.
Baleta noted that their EVs can do two trips from Bulacan to Sta. Rosa, Laguna. They are used either from plant to warehouse or warehouse transfers to trade accounts.
In his presentation at the conference, Baleta said unprecedented disruptions faced by the country’s logistics industry, including numerous typhoons yearly, global conflicts, ecological threats, and shipping disruptions, became the springboard for the company to focus on value innovations such as the use of EVs and artificial intelligence (AI).
FAST uses AI-powered dashcams to observe and record behavior of their truck drivers and helpers to promote safety while on the road. The dashcams also allow FAST to provide solutions in real-time to possible problems during deliveries and direct drivers to faster routes.
Also in use is a transport management system (TMS), a set of software solutions designed to automate all processes involved in transport logistics. The solutions include the TMS Truckers App, TMS Control Center, TMS Drivers App, and TMS AI Planner.
Expanded warehousing footprint
As it expands its EV fleet, FAST will also grow its warehousing footprint from the current 118 warehouses (115 dry, three cold) and a capacity of 900,000 pallet positions for dry and 30,000 pallet positions for cold.
“We’re seeing that in the next two years, we’ll be expanding to additional 50,000 pallet positions. We’re growing exponentially, not just in Luzon but also in Mindanao,” Baleta said, adding that they are eyeing to grow to about 124 warehouses in the next two years.
This will include the North Distribution Center 2 in Meycauayan, Bulacan that will be a multiclient facility with a capacity of 80,000 pallet positions.
FAST is also constructing a warehouse in Davao that will have a 10,000 to 20,000 pallet position-capacity and another in Cebu with 10,000 pallet positions. The Davao warehouse will be operational by the third quarter of this year while the Cebu warehouse will open in the first quarter of next year.
The company also has 54 transport sites, 18 cross docks, and 33 distribution sites.
“We’re seeing that since our [customers are] expanding their horizon, their coverage, we have to be there to support the expansion program of our customers as well,” Baleta said.
WATCH: FAST Logistics Chief Solutions Officer-Logistics Ely Baleta’s presentation at the Central Luzon Transport & Trade Conference 2024
