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2026.01 Vol.244

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Glovis Moment
A Next-Generation Hub to Lead the Air Forwarding Business
Scenes from the Construction Site of Hyundai Glovis’s Global Distribution Center
Hyundai Glovis is expanding its logistics spectrum from sea and land to the air. The ambitious first step in this effort is the establishment of the Hyundai Glovis Global Distribution Center (GDC). Set for completion in April 2025, the brand new center will serve as an advance base to enhance Hyundai Glovis's air forwarding capabilities. 2024-10-10

Since the pandemic, international transportation services have continuously been required to prepare for various contingencies. To reduce uncertainties, logistics companies have had to secure a higher degree of competitiveness by transporting goods through diverse modes of transportation, including sea, air, and rail.

Reflecting this trend, Hyundai Glovis is focusing its capabilities on securing more diverse transportation options. The company has been expanding its air forwarding operations by directly managing air transportation from airports in locations such as Frankfurt (Germany), Vienna (Austria), Atlanta (USA), and Chennai (India). Domestically, it plans to expand its logistics infrastructure by establishing a global logistics center in the Free Trade Zone of Incheon International Airport.

Just beyond the construction site of the new logistics center, a plane can be seen landing at Incheon International Airport.

In mid-September, as the scorching heat subsided and a cool breeze began to blow, we visited the bustling construction site of the Global Distribution Center. The site is located in the direction of Incheon Airport's Terminal 2. Driving across Incheon Bridge, a sign for Terminal 2 appears, and the construction site, marked with the group's iconic blue background and the word "HYUNDAI" in large English letters, catches the eye. Situated within the free trade zone, 3 kilometers from the airport’s cargo terminal, the site offers frequent views of planes taking off and landing at the airport, as well as the airport gate.

The construction site of the Global Distribution Center

The reason why the Global Distribution Center is located in the Free Trade Zone is that it allows cargo to be unloaded or transshipped without going through customs procedures. In the Free Trade Zone, goods can be repackaged and processed for re-export without customs clearance. Thanks to these benefits, the Global Distribution Center can manage air cargo for various businesses. It also handles typical industrial cargo for air operations. Additionally, it can be utilized as a hub for Cross-Border Ecommerce (CBE), such as direct shipping, export goods, and reverse direct shipping for K-beauty and K-goods, which have recently seen a significant increase in export volume. Leveraging these advantages, the Incheon Airport Global Distribution Center will be operated as a supply chain hub for the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region.

The Global Distribution Center, where the fifth floor is currently under construction

The Global Distribution Center will implement customized smart logistics solutions that are tailored to the characteristics of each business and cargo. For businesses that aim to maximize storage space, automated systems based on shuttle AGVs (Autonomous Guided Vehicles) will be established. For e-commerce cargo, where the efficiency of inbound and outbound operations is crucial, picking-related solutions will be introduced. The introduction of these solutions will not only reduce operational costs but also will prevent human errors, thereby enhancing customer service satisfaction.

The Global Distribution Center, which began construction in an empty lot in September 2023, is gradually taking shape.

The Global Distribution Center, benefiting from the advantages of the Free Trade Zone and Hyundai Glovis's concentrated capabilities, began construction in October 2023 and will be completed as a single building with five floors. The first and fifth floors will serve as ambient storage warehouses, while the third and fourth floors will be equipped with cold chain facilities, including low-temperature and hybrid warehouses. The second floor will be designated for office use.

On the third floor, construction workers are diligently engaged in their tasks.

As of mid-September, the progress rate was approximately 60%, with construction actively underway on the fifth and final floor of the center. Workers at the construction site were sweating profusely, fully focused on their tasks. The first thing that struck us when we arrived at the center’s construction site was how clean it was. Before arriving, we had envisioned a chaotic scene with construction materials scattered everywhere, but the site was surprisingly well-maintained and did not resemble a typical construction zone.

CEO Lee Kyoo-bok visited the construction site on September 10.

Hyundai Glovis CEO Lee Kyoo-bok was also impressed by the advantages of the site. On September 10, just before the Chuseok holiday, he visited the site to assess the progress made by the construction team led by Site Manager Kang Young-soo, and conducted a site inspection himself. "We maintain cleanliness at the work site by clearly defining the work zones," noted Manager Kang Young-soo. "When CEO Lee Kyoo-bok visited the site, he was awestruck by the neatness of the area."

The cleanliness of the site, where the construction of the fifth floor is in full swing, has been noted.

Seeing the workers on-site sweating and laboring under the hot sun, CEO Lee Kyoo-bok sent a coffee truck to the site on September 13. This surprise gift, to coincide with the Chuseok holiday, was a gesture of gratitude for the workers and a wish for a safe working environment. The workers enjoyed a sweet break for a moment after welcoming the coffee truck. It was a chance for the busy workers, diligently striving to achieve their goals, to escape the heat for a brief rest.

Workers enjoy their beverages from the coffee truck at the construction site on September 13.

The completion date for the Global Distribution Center is April 30, 2025. Once opened, the new logistics center will feature advanced logistics equipment such as high-speed X-ray machines and conveyor systems, along with automated warehouses, to meet customer needs. Hyundai Glovis will use the new center as a stepping-stone on its journey to becoming a global logistics company that encompasses all areas of land, sea, and air logistics. In 2025, we anticipate that Hyundai Glovis will soar to new heights in the realm of air transportation.

Rendering of Hyundai Glovis’s Incheon Airport Global Distribution Center

Help Guide : Manager Kim Won-bae,
Incheon Airport Distribution Center TFT

Mini Interview

“Safety first; safety precautions second”

Site Manager Kang Young-soo, Hyundai Engineering

This summer was a particularly hot one. Did the workers on-site have a tough time with the heat?

I've been in the field for 28 years, and this is the first time I’ve experienced such a long and hot summer. The heat we could feel on-site seemed like it was more than double what we've experienced in previous years. As a result, the efficiency of the workers dropped significantly, and fatigue levels were high. When concentration wanes, there can be gaps in safety, so I've had to pay even more attention to the site.

It seems that CEO Lee Kyoo-bok emphasized safety multiple times during his visit.

He repeatedly stressed the importance of completing the construction without any accidents. He looked around the site, and noted that the safety facilities were well set up. Usually, when you visit a construction site, materials are scattered everywhere. But we always maintain a clean site, with clearly defined work areas. Not only does this improve visibility, but it also helps create well-defined pathways, making the work environment much safer.

Other than safety facilities, are there any specific aspects of safety that you pay special attention to on-site?

One thing that makes our site different from other construction sites is that we don't pour a lot of concrete on-site. We use a PC (precast) structure method, which involves assembling columns and floor slabs that are made in a factory. This approach has allowed us to maintain a clean site. As well, the low percentage of international workers is an advantage; effective communication with our workers ensures that any safety concerns are relayed quickly, significantly improving our operational efficiency.

October 2024 IncheonInternationalAirport DistributionCenter FreeTradeZone SmartLogistics

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