Patton to set up cold storage facility near Chennai.

Patton Ltd., a New Zealand based company engaged in manufacturing commercial refrigeration systems, will set up a cold storage for agricultural produce near Chennai. According to Sameer Handa, Group CEO, Pattan Ltd., the company has identified the place and the work for a 10-tonne warehouse will start soon.

Handa, to address the audience at the Business Summit 2015, said the investment will be in the range of Rs. 10 crore. 'We will decide on replicating this in other cities, depending on its commercial viability,' he said. Patton has an office in Mumbai and has tie-ups with Indian refrigeration majors including Blue Star.

Similarly, The Warehouse Group, a major retail chain in New Zealand, is looking at sourcing from India. 'We are in talks with a few apparel manufacturers and textile companies here. Jewellery could be another area of interest for us,' said Mark Powell, Group CEO, The Warehouse.

He said as of now it source from China, but the company finds language a major barrier for its relationship with Chinese suppliers. 'With India, we will not have this problem. Besides, there is an understanding among Indian companies about international logistics and the retail industry,' he said. The key requirements were product quality, punctual delivery and no exploitation of labour, he said.



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