Mention the 1,775-acre Serenia City in Sepang and the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) will also come to mind as the development is located close to the aviation hub.
Capitalising on the proximity, master developer Sime Darby Property Bhd is introducing industrial properties in the township, setting aside a substantial portion of the freehold tract for such projects. This follows the success of its industrial parks in Bandar Bukit Raja (BBR), Klang.
BIG-BOX CONCEPT
Approximately 25% of Serenia City has been allocated for industrial properties while 67% is for residential projects and 8% for commercial developments. In addition, 25 acres have been set aside for a central park.
Similar to the industrial parks in BBR, a highway — the Putrajaya-Dengkil bypass — separates the industrial parks from the rest of the township.
The highway divides the township into east and west sides, with the industrial component — known as Cipta Serenia — on the west side. Baskin-Robbins Malaysia, Poh Huat Furniture and PTT Horizon Warehouse are among the industrial players setting up their operations there.
Ir Mohd Idris Abdullah, General Manager of Business Unit 2 of Sime Darby Property, likens the developer to an industrial property supermarket — it offers various types of properties in Serenia City, from land sale, leasing and built-to-suit to guarded industrial areas.
The township is connected to highways such as the Maju Expressway and North-South Expressway Central Link (ELITE Expressway). There is also an interchange to the ELITE Expressway.
“Accessibility is a unique selling point of the township … we are also near the Salak Tinggi ERL (express rail link) station. Meanwhile, Xiamen University is located nearby,” says Idris.
“There is a mix of industrial offerings on four industrial parcels. One of the parcels, known as Cipta Utara, will be the crown jewel because of its accessibility, namely the Putrajaya-Dengkil bypass and ELITE Expressway, increasing its visibility.
“We are planning something like big-box stores there. The big-box industrial properties will have large LED signage that project the factories beautifully. Now, we already have a few big-box industrial properties in Phase 1.”
A big-box store, also known as a supercentre, superstore or megastore, is a physically large establishment that is normally used for retail purposes.
The industrial parks in Serenia City are targeted at players in the logistics (carrier and e-fulfilment), e-commerce, automotive (parts manufacturer) and manufacturing industries. Idris says those from the food industry have also expressed their interest due to the township’s strategic location for food distribution.
“In Serenia City, there is more demand for subdivide industrial plots ranging from one to three acres. There is also demand for detached factories of 20,000 sq ft each, mainly for the expansion of operations from the existing industrial areas within the Klang Valley,” he explains.
Datuk Cheah See Yeong, President of Golden Scoop Sdn Bhd — the company behind ice-cream parlour Baskin-Robbins Malaysia — says the company plans to set up a logistics and warehouse distribution centre in Serenia City. The centre will have a built-up of 20,773 sq ft and land area of 52,065 sq ft.
“The features we like in Serenia City are the easy accessibility and good highway networks linked to the Klang Valley and other areas,” he adds.
Another industrial player that is setting up its operations there is Alpha Pipe Industries Sdn Bhd, which is involved in the development, manufacturing and distribution of plastic piping systems. Managing Director, Melissa Hew says the company has purchased a one-acre plot that will have a factory with a built-up of 21,000 sq ft.
Alpha Pipe has purchased another one-acre lot for future development.
“Serenia City is a very strategic logistics hub, being near KLIA and major highways. It is also a great investment opportunity for our company,” says Hew.
INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT
Sime Darby Property first embarked on the development of industrial parks in BBR. Having seen an overwhelming response to its properties and the emergence of Industry 4.0, Idris expects industrial parks to be an important component of the developer’s business in the next few years. The growing demand for logistics services in the country is also a positive indication.
With the aim of becoming the provider of all types of industrial products, the company is looking to allocate land for the development of industrial parks in all its townships.
The move will also ensure that it is building sustainable communities — Idris says industrial parks complement townships by creating job opportunities while at the same time attracting more investors to the townships.
“Wherever possible, we will give a thought to having industrial parks in our townships and we have a dedicated team for this type of development. The townships will always be planned in a way that separates the residential and commercial components from the industrial parks. They are for light to medium industrial players,” he explains.
“Most foreign companies like to lease … like those in Penang. They will lease for 20 to 30 years before they move out. When this happens, developers can take back the land and redevelop them.”
As the centre of innovation, the 196-acre Cipta Serenia houses a collection of both business and industrial buildings to suit every purpose. With its strategic location and close proximity to various amenities, Serenia City is where the possibilities are plentiful.
Alpha Pipe Industries Sdn Bhd
One-acre factory lot with a premise of a built-up of 21,000 sq ft
Another one-acre lot for future development
“We see that it as a very strategic logistics hub, being near to KLIA and major highways. It is also a great investment opportunity for our company,” — Managing director Melissa Hew
Golden Scoop Sdn Bhd (Baskin-RobbinS Malaysia)
Logistic and warehouse distribution centre
20,773 sq ft built-up area
52,065 sq ft of land area
“The features we like in Serenia City are the easy accessibility and good highway networks linked to the Klang Valley and other areas,” — President Datuk Cheah See Yeong