KUALA LUMPUR: Kemas Properties Sdn Bhd is offering extra-large semi-detached factory-offices with land sizes ranging from 37,039 to 43,109 sq ft at its West Meru Industrial Park location.

Situated 25 minutes from Port Klang, the factory-offices will provide a minimum built-up of 25,317 sq ft and are priced from RM6.59 million to RM6.89 million.

“Our research showed that the market here lacks factories of these sizes,” said director Simy Yap.

The entire project sits on a freehold tract of 20 acres (8ha). Kemas Properties is soft launching Phase 1 of the project, which features six units out of a total of 18. Two other phases will be launched later. The units for sale are 2-storey factory-offices measuring 95 ft by 30 ft. The factory floor has a ceiling height of 42 ft. The gross development value for Phase 1 is RM45 million. The six units are scheduled to be completed in 2013.

Yap disclosed that each unit offers more than 20,000 sq ft of factory floor space with no columns. The factory space is suitable for light to medium industries. She revealed that enquiries have come from a gamut of companies such as an iron rack maker, distribution centres, food manufacturers and a repacking service operator.

An artist's impression of Kemas Prop's semi-detached factory-office with its corporate looking frontage.

Why semidee factory-offices and not standalone ones? Yap said according to their research data gleaned from consultants and other factory owners, detached or standalone factories would lead to wastage of space, with many operators using the excess road to store their stock.

“We would rather they keep everything within the factory,” she said.

Yap said another reason for the semi-detached factory design is so that if the owner/operator wishes to expand they do not need to buy the adjacent lot. They can buy two side-by-side units for a land size of about two acres, and if they are not ready to use all the space they can lease out the other unit.

“The factory-offices also encompass a presentable corporate frontage, making it an all under one roof setup,” said Yap. “The aim is to minimise the wastage of space in terms of the design … and to have a place where you can receive clients.”

The West Meru Industrial Park is connected to the Setia Alam township via the NKVE-Setia Alam link and is within a short distance of Aman Perdana township, said Yap. The established townships of Meru and Kapar are nearby.

Kemas Properties is the property development arm of Kemas Group of Companies and had its start in the construction industry. It has so far developed a residential project in Klang called Taman Istimewa with 56 two-storey terraced houses, and is developing another residential project in Shah Alam called Greenview Villas with semidee homes and bungalows.

Tomorrow, Kemas Properties is showcasing the extra-large semi-detached factories at the Malaysia International Property & Investment Showcase at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

This article appeared on the Property page, The Edge Financial Daily, April 20, 2012.