Integrated Design-Build firm A M King has begun construction of a 262,000-sf ripening and cold storage distribution center for Mission Produce, the world’s largest grower, packer, and shipper of Hass avocados. The new facility will be located in Laredo, TX at the Pinnacle Industry Center on 32.6 acres adjacent to the Rio Grande River and the Mexican Border. It will allow the company to capitalize on the continued popularity of its signature product in the nation’s busiest land port. Mission plans to initially hire 75 employees when the project is complete in May 2021.

Our annual July State of the Industry issue is now ready to read in our redesigned digital magazine--even easier to navigate than before. We also feature our annual North American Refrigerated & Frozen Foods Warehouse Guide. put together with the help of the Global Cold Chain Alliance. In this issue, we dive deeper into how COVID-19 has not just impacted, but altered many areas of the cold foods supply chain the first half of 2020. It's a mid-year snapshot that also serves as a map for what will likely continue the rest of the year.

The ability to track inbound, outbound and all other warehouse-related activities with accuracy is a primary goal for Crescent Cold Storage. To be able to locate inventory and manage customer orders with precision was what prompted Crescent Cold Storage to seek out a better software solution. After extensive research it was clear that a customizable cloud-based ERP system was needed.

Lineage Logistics (Lineage), the world’s largest provider of temperature-controlled logistics solutions, announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Henningsen Cold Storage Co. (Henningsen). Lineage was founded by and continues to be managed by Bay Grove. The strategic acquisition adds to the company’s expansive U.S. facility network and bolsters its presence in the Pacific Northwest, with the addition of 14 facilities across Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Pennsylvania, North Dakota and Oklahoma. Financial terms of the transactions were not disclosed.

The Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA) released first-quarter data showing the general major cost structure of operating refrigerated warehouses. The cost of labor was once again the largest share of expenses, followed by property rent/lease/mortgage costs.

How fast doors can lead to faster energy savings in today’s cold storage facilities.

The Port of Mobile’s newest refrigerated cargo facility is on track for an early 2021 opening at one of the nation’s fastest growing container ports. The facility is located outside the gates of the seaport’s container terminal operated by APM Terminals and has immediate access to I-10. The distribution center will be one of the largest of its kind in the Southeast. Its proximity to the container terminal and max loading capabilities will not only add value but help customers reduce their carbon footprint by limiting the number of trucks on the road. 

A M King, a fully integrated Design-Build firm, has begun renovation of an existing shell building for Martin’s Distribution Inc., a Charlotte-based food distributor. The new food distribution and storage facility will allow the company to capitalize on growing demand from its customers for fresh, quality products. The project is scheduled to be completed by May 2020.

Construction of a new north Houston freezer storage facility, Texas Frio Cold Storage, is underway. Designed and built by Houston-based KDW, the new facility will provide 43,742 square feet of cold storage space for whole and packaged beef, pork and poultry products and 19,086 square feet of office space.  The project has been master planned to double the facility’s cold storage space for future needs. 

Twinlode Automation, an integrator of warehouse automation and storage systems, announced it has become an official member of the International Association of Refrigerated Warehouses (IARW). Twinlode Automation has long held expertise in the movement of time-sensitive food and produce items as they are moved from field to store shelves, and the decision to join the IARW underscores that commitment and better positions the company for being more deeply involved in the industry.