Ipoh: The Wah Seng (1986) Distribution Centre, situated in Taman Maju Rapat, has become the first warehouse in Malaysia to secure the prestigious GreenRE Platinum certification.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Wah Seng (1986) Sdn Bhd, a longstanding wholesale grocery and food supplier in Ipoh, has been serving over 800 hotels, restaurants, and caf©s across Perak and Cameron Highlands with a variety of dairy products, frozen meats, and bakery ingredients since the 1950s. The company has invested approximately RM9 million in the renovation and upgrading of the warehouse, a project that spanned three years and was executed in phases.
Shaun Lai, the business development director of Wah Seng, stated that the refurbishment began with a sustainable design approach that incorporated advanced strategies for energy, water, and carbon management. This approach aimed to reduce environmental impact while enhancing operational efficiency.
The green building initiatives introduced at the warehouse include a 15 percent energy saving, achieved through high-performance building design and systems, along with the installation of photovoltaic solar panels. Furthermore, the facility has achieved a 57.53 percent reduction in water usage thanks to efficient fittings and rainwater harvesting, coupled with reduced carbon emissions through tree planting around the premises.
Lai emphasized the importance of integrating efficiency, sustainability, and responsibility to ensure the longevity of the family-run business, now in its third generation. He highlighted the company's commitment to sustainable practices as pivotal for future operations.
GreenRE executive director Ir Ashwin Thurairajah explained that the evaluation process took several months and focused on energy efficiency, industrial decarbonization, and sustainable building design. He noted that the Wah Seng Distribution Centre met over 100 checklist criteria to qualify for the highest rating, underscoring its adherence to the established standards.
The GreenRE Platinum rating, awarded by the Real Estate and Housing Developers' Association (REHDA), represents the pinnacle of building sustainability in Malaysia, acknowledging structures that exceed 90 points in energy efficiency, water usage, and indoor environmental quality.