The cold chain sector is experiencing robust growth, fueled by increasing demand for fresh and frozen food products both domestically and internationally. This expansion is driven by advancements in containerized ocean shipping with greater reefer capacity and the strategic development of cold storage networks, particularly around critical port locations. Companies across the sector are investing heavily to meet this rising demand, ensuring seamless transportation and storage of temperature-sensitive goods.
Preferred Freezer Services (PFS), a prominent cold storage provider, exemplifies this expansion trend. With a strong domestic presence, PFS has also been strategically growing its international footprint. The company’s commitment to expanding its network is evident in its recent facility openings. In Asia, PFS has established a significant presence with facilities in Shanghai, Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), and a third location opened last year in Tianjin, China.
Within the United States, PFS continues to bolster its infrastructure. The opening of its seventh California cold storage facility in San Leandro, near the Port of Oakland, highlights this domestic growth. This 250,000 square-foot facility is designed for efficiency, featuring a large truck yard, 23 dock doors, and multiple temperature zones to accommodate diverse product requirements within a single location.
“Our existing and new customer demand in the San Francisco Bay Area for additional cold storage space has continued to grow over the last three years, and we are thrilled to finally be able to meet those requests,” stated CEO John Galiher, emphasizing the company’s responsiveness to market needs and client demand.
Further expanding its reach in the southern U.S., PFS inaugurated a new Miami facility in July, increasing its Florida locations to four. This expansive facility, offering 9 million cubic feet of storage, is strategically positioned near major transport routes and provides comprehensive services including on-site inspections, packing, and labeling.
Perhaps one of PFS’s most ambitious undertakings is underway in Richland, Washington. This project, initiated in spring, represents PFS’s entry into the Washington state market. Upon its projected completion in 2015, it is poised to become the largest public refrigerated warehouse in North America and the largest single cold storage facility built at one time globally.
The scale of the Richland facility is impressive. “The completed facility will stand at 120 feet tall, covering 455,000 square feet, with 313,000 square feet dedicated to automated freezer space,” according to PFS. The facility will incorporate advanced automation, utilizing robotic cranes instead of manual equipment to enhance efficiency and operational precision. Its location adjacent to an existing railroad spur, with a track system supporting 207 miles of pallets and handling capacity for 50 rail cars daily, further underscores its logistical capabilities.
Simultaneously, port authorities are recognizing the strategic advantage of enhanced cold chain infrastructure. The Port of Charleston in South Carolina, for instance, is actively investing in cold chain capacity to strengthen its competitive position against rivals like the Port of Savannah. AGRO Merchants Group responded to this opportunity by opening a new cold storage facility near the Port of Charleston in September. This facility provides 121,000 square feet of space, accommodating 14,000 pallet positions, and offers critical services such as USDA meat import and export inspections, along with eight 24-hour blast freezing cells. This addition more than doubles the cold storage capacity available in the Charleston market.
Chris Hughes, president of AGRO Merchants Group, acknowledged the competitive landscape in a statement to Charleston’s The Post and Courier, noting, “In some respect, we are taking a risk by coming to a market like this because we are putting a lot of pallet positions in a space that’s going to be competing with a more mature market in Savannah.” However, he also highlighted customer demand and the Port of Charleston’s overall appeal as key factors driving their investment.
The Charleston region is indeed witnessing a surge in cold storage development. New Orleans Cold Storage secured a $12 million investment from the South Carolina Ports Authority to expand its North Charleston facility. Furthermore, Lineage Logistics announced plans in June for a substantial 340,000 square-foot refrigerated warehouse project in Palmetto Commerce Park, near the Port of Charleston.
Jim Newsome, president and CEO of South Carolina Ports Authority, commented on the strategic importance of these developments. “The Port is experiencing strong growth in the refrigerated container business; the addition of Lineage’s cold storage and blast freezing facility provides Charleston with the increased capabilities necessary to meet the needs of this important cargo segment,” he stated, underscoring the symbiotic relationship between port infrastructure and cold chain logistics.
Lineage Logistics is equally active on the West Coast. In collaboration with Baker Cold Storage, Lineage broke ground in March on a new facility near the Los Angeles-Long Beach port complex, with completion anticipated next spring. This facility will have a significant capacity, holding approximately 54 million pounds of food and managing a daily transload volume of 2 million pounds.
Adding to its California portfolio, Lineage inaugurated a new 226,000 square-foot facility in Santa Maria last month. This facility, spanning over 10 acres, is strategically positioned to support the region’s robust agricultural output.
Companies like are integral to this expanding ecosystem. While specific details about Brisk Transportation & Cold Storage Inc aren’t mentioned in this report, the broader trend clearly indicates that businesses specializing in efficient and reliable temperature-controlled logistics and storage solutions are crucial players in supporting the growth of the fresh and frozen food supply chain. As the cold chain sector continues to evolve, innovation and strategic expansion will remain key drivers for companies seeking to meet the increasing demands of a global market.
