Why flexibility is key for automated pallet movement in cold storage facilities
Automated three-dimensional shuttle pallet storage and retrieval systems have emerged as highly desirable solutions for pallet movement and storage in refrigerated and deep-freeze warehouses.
An escalating demand for chilled and frozen food products worldwide has made refrigerated warehousing a continually expanding sector for distribution. A study published by the International Association of Refrigerated Warehouses (IARW), an arm of the Global Cold Chain Alliance, Alexandria, Va., shows 210 million cubic feet of refrigerated space was added to North American warehouses between 2014 and 2016, representing a 2.3% annualized growth rate. The study, “2016 IARW Global Cold Storage Capacity Report,” also reveals that 1.7 billion cubic feet of refrigerated space was added to warehouses from 2014 to 2016, with an annualized growth rate in cubic footage of 4.2%.
Likewise, new offerings in meat and seafood ready meals, dairy, fruits and vegetables, pizza, bakery and desserts and prepared pasta and potato products continue to fuel the growth of frozen and refrigerated foods. In fact, the frozen food sector is expected to grow globally at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.2% between 2017-2023, according to several industry analysts. Similarly, growth in refrigerated foods during this period is expected to reach 3% CAGR.