A M King has completed construction of a south Texas distribution center for Mexico-based GAB Operations, LLC. The new 45,590-square-foot facility will provide increased cold storage capacity for fresh produce and serve as a hub for the company’s U.S. and Canadian customers.  

Founded more than four decades ago in Guanajuato, Mexico, GAB specializes in the production, development, marketing and distribution of fresh and frozen vegetables and fruits. Items include broccoli, cauliflower, spinach and other leafy greens, varieties of lettuce, celery, sweet corn, snow peas, pumpkin, sweet mini peppers, berries and more. The company, which operates under the brand names Mr. Lucky and Covemex, is one of the largest garlic and organic tomato producers in Mexico and prepares fresh-cut produce for food service clients and provides pre-packed salads and private-label products for many U.S.-based produce businesses. 

GAB’s Laredo distribution center is located in the Pinnacle Industry Center, which is just minutes from the Rio Grande River, World Trade Bridge border crossing and the Laredo International Airport. 

“We’re thrilled to have completed another prominent produce project in Laredo,” says Dan Crist, A M King vice president. “Our food industry expertise, coupled with our track record of successfully completed cold storage and distribution facilities, put us in a great position to design and build this project, and serve as a resource for a new international client.” 

The GAB distribution center not only houses the cold storage warehouse and GAB offices but will also feature a trucker dormitory where fleet drivers may rest before continuing their route. 

During the design phase, A M King worked with GAB to ensure that the layout and flow of the space met current as well as future needs. As part of the process, our team included a forced air cooler to bring the temperature of the produce down quickly and safely and incorporated different vertical leveler lengths for cargo flexibility.

In addition, the client opted for all dock positions to be drive-thru application, which allows truck drivers to leave their doors closed until they are fully backed into a loading dock position. The doors are then opened from inside the facility, providing means for exercising high quality control standards. This design requires a wider dock door opening and larger shelter, but it is one of the most energy efficient designs an owner can implement, especially in a hot climate like Laredo where exterior temperatures can exceed 120-degrees. 

About A M King
 A M King is an integrated design-build firm based in Charlotte, North Carolina, with offices in Greenville, South Carolina, and Chicago. An employee-owned company, A M King consistently and successfully delivers quality projects throughout the United States. With an experienced team committed to protecting clients’ assets, the firm provides property consulting, design, construction, and facility services in key market sectors including food processing, food distribution, industrial manufacturing, and corporate properties.