Preferred Freezer Services (PFS), Chatham, N.J., broke ground on its third temperature-controlled facility in the Chicago area and its 36th in the United States.

The new facility, scheduled to open in the spring of 2017, will be located at the intersection of S. Blue Island Avenue Drive and S. Wood Street near the intersection of S. Damen Avenue and Interstate 55. The completed facility will cover 227,043 square feet, stand 58 feet tall and maintain a storage capacity of more than 32,000 pallets. The warehouse will consist of three rooms featuring multi-temperature capabilities as well as meat services such as blast freezing and USDA inspection services.

“Preferred Freezer Services continues to invest in new state-of-the-art cold storage warehouse and distribution facilities to support the growing needs of new and current customers,” says Dan DiDonato, executive vice president of sales. “The demand for temperature-controlled buildings in Chicago and across the U.S. that comply with and exceed the latest food safety regulatory requirements from a local, state and federal perspective is a growing concern for food manufacturers, distributors, importers, exporters, etc. We understand this concern, and are proud to be part of the supply chain that brings their food to market.”