A Bold Vision Sparks the Growth of Agility Logistics Parks (ALP)
Today, Agility Logistics Parks is one of the largest private owners, developers and operators of industrial real estate in the Middle East and Africa, building large-scale warehousing and light-industrial parks that support industry.
The Origins of ALP
The roots of the company began in Kuwait, with the 1997 privatization of two ~1 million SQM logistics parks established by the Kuwaiti government nearly two decades earlier. At one park, Agility built a new, state-of-the-art 20,000 SQM warehouse and began managing goods for companies renting storage space.
The new warehouse was ALP’s flagship facility and the most modern of its kind in the Middle East. It was among the first built to a 14-meter clear height and to install Very Narrow Aisle (VNA) pallet racking, which allows for ultra-efficient, high-density storage and increased warehouse capacity.
Expanding to Meet Growing Demand in Emerging Markets
That initial investment in Kuwait was fueled by the company’s belief that existing industrial infrastructure in the Gulf and other emerging markets needed to be upgraded to support consumer and business demand in societies that were rapidly opening to trade and growing economically.
Agility went on to build more logistics parks, in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the UAE, Qatar and Oman; as well as to open logistics parks across the African continent and South Asia.
Next came a 10,000 SQM warehouse in Qatar, where the company became a shareholder in Doha-based Gulf Warehousing Co. After that, came expansion into Oman, and the acquisition of an 18,000 SQM facility in Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free Zone, the basis for future expansion in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
ALP also expanded across India and Africa.
Portfolio Repositioning
Over time, ALP has unlocked the value of its properties in different ways. For example, it merged its Qatar operations with GWC in exchange for a stake in what is today’s Qatar’s leading logistics company. Certain warehousing and logistics facilities in the UAE, Bahrain and Oman were included in the sale of GIL to DSV. Its Kuwait warehouses remained with Agility Public Warehousing Company KSCP when Agility listed on the ADX.
Today, ALP’s footprint is primarily in Saudia Arabia, Africa and India.
ALP in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is a strategic priority for ALP because the Kingdom put logistics and supply chain infrastructure at the heart of its Vision 2030 growth strategy. ALP’s 870,000 SQM park in Riyadh is one of the most advanced in the Middle East. In addition, ALP operates a 200,000 SQM in Dammam. Coming soon is a massive new ALP warehousing and logistics complex in Jeddah.
ALP in India
ALP’s involvement into India began in 2007, when it added land in Goa. Today, ALP owns nine parcels in India, three of which are home to modern, world-class Agility Logistics Parks.
ALP in Africa
Quality warehousing is a fundamental element of the infrastructure required for supporting trade and business growth in Africa. ALP is one of the largest developers of industrial real estate on the continent, having purchased over 1.5 million m² of land in order to develop warehouse parks across the Continent.
ALP currently operates warehouse parks in Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Mozambique and Egypt, each of which are being expanded, with Nigeria now under development. A pipeline of proposed future projects includes Morocco, Kenya, Tanzania, Angola, DRC and Ethiopia as part of establishing the first pan African network of warehouse parks.
ALP’s Unique Long-Term Investment Strategy
Agility has been a patient investor and skilled, long-term operator. Agility Logistics Parks sees long-term upside in owning, operating and expanding ALP warehousing parks, aligning with the macro trends of ecommerce and market-localised manufacturing.
Commitment to First-Class Infrastructure and Facilities
We believe multi-nationals and regional and local champions need and deserve infrastructure with world-class design, construction and engineering that brings improved efficiencies to their operations. That means 24/7 power and water, high-tech security, and first-class facilities maintenance; creating an operational environment that enables businesses to thrive.
Hosting Data Centers for the Digital Future
We see well-run logistics parks – secure, connected, and permitted – as ideal places to host the hyperscale data centers that African and Middle East countries need to accelerate growth in the digital age. So most of our parks contain areas that are prepped and able to host data center campuses.
