WAH SENG CENTRE FIRST WAREHOUSE IN MALAYSIA TO GET GREENRE PLATINUM CERTIFICATION

IPOH, March 26 (Bernama) -- The Wah Seng (1986) Distribution Centre, located in Taman Maju Rapat here, is the first warehouse in the country to receive the GreenRE Platinum certification.

Wah Seng (1986) Sdn Bhd, a wholesale grocery and food supplier based in Ipoh since the 1950s, supplies a variety of dairy products, frozen meats, and bakery ingredients to more than 800 hotels, restaurants, and cafés across Perak and Cameron Highlands.

Wah Seng (1986) Sdn Bhd’s business development director, Shaun Lai, said the company allocated approximately RM9 million to renovate and upgrade the warehouse, a process carried out in phases over the past three years.

He said the process began with refurbishing a purpose-built building designed with sustainability in mind, from design to operations, by integrating advanced strategies across energy, water, and carbon management. This significantly reduces environmental impact while improving operational efficiency.

“The green building features implemented include an overall energy saving of 15 percent, supported by high-performance building design and systems, as well as the installation of solar PV (photovoltaic solar panels).

“In addition, there is a 57.53 percent reduction in water usage through efficient fittings and rainwater harvesting, along with reduced carbon emissions through tree planting around the warehouse area,” he said after the GreenRE launch ceremony here today.

Lai added that, as a third-generation business, the company recognises that efficiency, sustainability, and responsibility must go hand in hand to ensure Wah Seng continues to operate for future generations.

GreenRE executive director Ir Ashwin Thurairajah said it took several months to conduct the evaluation, focusing on energy efficiency, industrial decarbonization, and recognition as the highest standard for sustainable building design. “We reviewed and assessed more than 100 checklists, and as a result, the Wah Seng Distribution Centre qualifies for the highest rating as it meets the established criteria,” he added.

The GreenRE Platinum rating is the highest recognition for building sustainability in Malaysia, established by the Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association (REHDA). It is awarded to buildings that achieve more than 90 points in energy efficiency, water usage, and indoor environmental quality.

-- BERNAMA