New Chinese warehouse is full of Eastern promise for British businesses

Advanced Supply Chain has announced plans to begin freight forwarding operations to and from a giant new warehouse in China. It is a move which could open up the country to British businesses eyeing expansion into the world's fastest-growing economy.

The fast growing Bradford and Corby-based transport, logistics and distribution firm is set to commence import and export services at the 1.2 million sq ft Pinhu Logistics Centre in Shenzhen, South China, in the first half of 2014.

Located in the north of Shenzhen, the new state-of-the-art warehouse provides British businesses with easy access to cost-effective manufacturers in China and offers excellent transport links to Chinese sea ports such as Yantian, Shekou, Chiwan, as well as Huanggang Port where cross-border trucks connect to Hong Kong.

Crucially the facility also provides a launchpad for European exporters wanting to target the 130 million residents in the Pearl River delta area, the most densely populated area in China.

The warehouse, which is to be run by China's largest logistics company, Sinotrans, also offers: round-the-clock cargo receiving operations, bonded/non-bonded warehousing services, prompt tax compensation for export cargo, and deferred tax services for import cargo.

Mike Danby, chief executive of Advanced Supply Chain, said: "We are proud and excited to be starting forward freight operations to the Pinhu Logistics Centre in 2014. As home to an estimated 1.35 billion people, China has amazing potential for economic growth and has to rank as one of the most prized import and export markets for British businesses.

"The Pinhu Logistics Centre is not only large; it is a cutting-edge warehouse facility in a brilliant geographic location. In 2011 we formed a partnership with Sinotrans to offer UK customers end-to-end logistics for the movement of goods to and from Asia and we are excited to be strengthening that relationship with this new warehouse, as well as being accredited as an overseas sales agent for Sinotrans."

Jacky Zhou, General Manager, Pearl River Delta at Sinotrans Guandong, said: "Advanced Supply Chain has consistently proven to be a natural partner for us by offering a full range of logistic services.  We are proud of the excellent new distribution facility we are building in Shenzhen and are confident that it will provide customers with a competitive edge."

Advanced Supply Chain provides pre-retail, distribution or freight forwarding services for many of the UK's major brands including Matalan, Asda, Makro and DFS.

Government-owned Sinotrans employs over 100,000 staff and has over 100 distribution centres across China, with road, rail and river connections covering all of inland China and the Far East.