Parcel service operator Kerry Express Thailand (KEX) has partnered with agri-business firm Betagro Group to launch Kerry Betagro Co – a new courier company specially designed to deliver frozen and refrigerated foods.
Under the service name Kerry Cool, the unique courier service is set to become Thailand's first cold delivery platform for frozen and refrigerated foods.
The firm revealed that its delivery method is suitable for various products, from chilled fresh produce and meat to frozen foods.
Alex Ng, chief executive of Kerry Express Thailand, emphasised the world-class quality, real-time tracking, new temperature-controlled technology and affordability that Kerry Cool will offer customers.
"With Kerry Express's strong commitment in quality and scalability, we will provide Thai people with trustworthy services in terms of speed, hygiene and user-friendliness as well an eventual nationwide coverage. Our temperature-controlled truck can be tracked real-time with consistent temperature monitoring from the first to the last mile," said Mr Ng.
The firm plans to service the business-to-business market by the end of 2021. It will later expand into business-to-consumer cold-package delivery through the service points of Kerry Express and Betagro by the second quarter of 2022.
"We aim to uplift the cold delivery standard like we did to the express [delivery] industry. And with the strong alliance, we will make cold delivery driven by world-class quality standards widely accessible for Thai consumers."
Vasit Taepaisitphongse, Betagro group chief executive and president, said the partnership between the two firms is excellent news for customers in Thailand.
Mr Vasit said the partnership between the two firms is excellent news for customers in Thailand.
He said Betagro had seen a shift in Thai consumption preferences and purchasing habits, especially a more robust demand for food hygiene and e-commerce and food delivery acceleration.
"To cater to these growing consumer needs, we have chosen to partner with Kerry Express to introduce Kerry Cool, a world-class cold delivery platform, which aims to connect food producers and restaurant operators of all sizes to end-consumers across Thailand," he said.
Following the launch, Kerry Cool will be available at Kerry Express and Betagro Group stores for both walk-in customers and customers who schedule a door-to-door pick-up that they can book via their mobile or web application.