Anexo Blue Logistics
Anexo Blue Logistics
Grupo Hilasal's history dates back to the 19th century when José Sagrera established a textile workshop in El Salvador. His grandson Ricardo founded Hilasal in 1942, initially focusing on essential textiles for the local market. In 1959, the company started producing bath towels and became the first in Central America to do so. By 1968, Hilasal began exporting to Europe and, under Ricardo Sagrera III, expanded to the US market in 1975. The company innovated by mechanizing towel printing in 1976 and leading reactive dye printing, known as 'Hiladized.' Today, Hilasal is a major player in the reactive beach towel production globally .
Blue Logistics' value-added services, such as labeling, packaging, and assembling, significantly bolster its competitiveness by allowing clients to tailor final processing steps to market needs, reducing costs, and enhancing response times. This flexibility and customized service approach help differentiate its offerings from standard logistics services, meeting diverse client requirements effectively .
The Export Salva Free Zone is pivotal in Grupo Hilasal's operations, offering a business-friendly environment that hosts 15 diverse companies, employing 8,000 people. Its strategic location and infrastructure support efficient logistics and manufacturing, accelerating Hilasal’s expansion by providing the necessary facilities for enhanced production and distribution capabilities .
The partnership with Costa Oriental and its joint venture with Katoen Natie, a renowned Belgian logistics operator, enhances Blue Logistics' capability by leveraging CO’s 20 years of industry experience and Katoen Natie's global expertise in logistics. This alliance enables the adoption of best practices and cutting-edge information systems, significantly improving inventory handling and client service delivery .
The Farmazona area is crucial for Blue Logistics' pharmaceutical services, adhering to strict international and regulatory standards. It provides specialized infrastructure and personnel, ensuring compliance with industry norms and customer requirements. This enables clients to maintain requisite conditions for pharmaceutical products, crucial for maintaining product integrity and customer trust .
Blue Logistics uses advanced technology and processes for traceability and inventory control, including secure, orderly, and clean storage with temperature-controlled zones. They maintain real-time operations records and offer online inventory management. The use of cutting-edge technology ensures precise inventory information, allowing clients to monitor inventories at any time .
Grupo Hilasal has expanded beyond textiles by adding Valley Manufacturing for apparel and establishing Export Salva Free Zone to support various service and manufacturing enterprises, employing 8,000 people. This diversification allows the company to leverage synergies among textile production, garment manufacturing, and logistics services, enhancing its competitiveness and market reach .
Blue Logistics' storage solutions incorporate state-of-the-art technology, including secure, clean, and temperature-controlled facilities, facilitating meticulous inventory control. These advancements enable precise, real-time inventory management online, offering clients the advantage of timely and accurate information access that aids decision-making and operational efficiency .
El Salvador's economic stability and political recognition, achieving 'Investment Grade' status from top credit rating agencies, have made it an attractive hub for logistics. Dolarization reduces monetary risks, while being recognized as a highly open economy bolsters international business confidence. These factors, combined with strategic logistics infrastructure, make El Salvador appealing for operations like Blue Logistics .
El Salvador's strategic location in the heart of Central America, providing direct access to a market of 40 million people, has been crucial for Blue Logistics. The modern infrastructure, such as the most advanced airport in Central America and the proximity of Export Salva Free Zone, enhances logistics capabilities. This position facilitates reduced logistical distances to the broader Central American market, thus lowering costs, time, and risks for clients .