Insulated from Within

Global Insulation Logistics specializes in the construction of insulated structures for industrial cold stores, food production facilities and clean room environments.

Its projects range from in-flight catering facilities for a large catering company in Manila, the Philippines, to large telecommunications switch rooms for a provider in Europe; server rooms for a US credit card company in Russia, and refurbishments to catering facilities in Hong Kong and Shanghai, China. It currently has offices in Manila and Hong Kong.

The company provides composite panel and door systems with fireand water- resistant panels that incorporate the use of a specialist mineral wool core. These modular panels can also be used for floors and ceiling. Once installed the panels are maintenance-free and can be dismounted for recycling. Asia Food Journal finds out more about the company’s activities in Asia from director and co-founder Greg Hodge and partner Martyn Roberts.

There are challenges in implementing recognized safety standards in the Philippines as the country is new to food safety compliance.

AFJ: Can you tell us about your businesses in Asia?
Hodge and Roberts: We started working in Asia about five years ago when we had our first project in Shanghai, China. Asia’s demand for insulated construction in food facilities is growing due to its developing economy when compared to mature markets such as Europe. We are currently looking to provide solutions to low temperature distribution facilities in the Middle East and hospitality and pharmaceutical projects in Hong Kong. We expect this region to expand as countries such as Vietnam, the Philippines and Laos are situated in the middle of world trade commerce nations like China, India and Australia.

Asia’s demand for insulated construction in food facilities is growing due to its developing economy when compared to mature markets such as Europe.

AFJ: How do you feel about the F&B industries in Manila and Hong Kong?
Hodge and Roberts: We primarily provide low-temperature construction services for cold storage and in-flight catering facilities in Manila, Hong Kong and Shanghai. These markets provide different demographics with Hong Kong being a compact, high-rise city and the Philippines as an archipelago of 7,000 islands with a population of 78 million people.

When working in the Philippines for example, there are challenges in implementing recognized safety standards as the market is new to food safety compliance. The food production facilities in the country are also fragmented due to the different provinces and work cultures.

On the contrary, Hong Kong is an international business environment and companies are therefore bound by duty to conform to international safety standards such as in its in-flight catering businesses.

(L-R): Global Insulation Logistics director and co-founder Greg Hodge and partner Martyn Roberts.

AFJ: How is your company relevant to Asia?
Hodge and Roberts: It is imperative for international companies that plan to do business in Asia to ensure that their projects benefit the indigenous population and their community. We partner with local communities and small businesses wherever possible and ensure that benefits are shared locally, such as employing locals and using local services and products. It is however different in Hong Kong as it is a compact, wealthy and international city that is made up of global organizations.