🧊 Walker Family breaks ground on 3.8M sq.ft. cold storage and logistics development

Welcome back to CubeCold News where we cover the latest developments in the cold chain industry and temperature-controlled logistics.

In today’s edition:

• Walker Family breaks ground on new 3.8M sq. ft. Class A logistics and cold storage development in Laredo, TX

• H.Essers acquires TFMO (Transports Frigorifiques des Monts d'Or)

• Star Refrigeration researchers to unveil pioneering research at the 8th IIR International Conference on Sustainability and Cold Chain 2024

• USDA announces expansion of interagency collaboration to help reduce food loss and waste

News

Walker Family breaks ground on new 3.8M sq. ft. Class A logistics and cold storage development in Laredo, TX The Walker Family has started the construction of a new 3.8 million square foot Class A logistics and cold storage facility in Laredo, Texas.

• This development is strategically located to leverage Laredo's position as a key trade hub, particularly for goods moving between the United States and Mexico, and is designed to meet the growing demand for high-quality logistics and cold storage solutions, driven by increasing cross-border trade.

• The project will feature state-of-the-art infrastructure, including advanced temperature control systems to accommodate a variety of perishable goods.

• It aims to provide significant storage capacity and operational efficiency, catering to industries such as food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and other sectors requiring stringent temperature management.

• The development is expected to create numerous job opportunities in the region, contributing to the local economy. The facility is poised to enhance Laredo's role as a critical logistics hub, offering robust solutions to meet the evolving demands of global trade. (link)

H.Essers acquires TFMO (Transports Frigorifiques des Monts d'Or) H.Essers, a Belgian logistics company, has announced the acquisition of TFMO, a French company specializing in temperature-controlled transport.

• TFMO, based in Lissieu, France, has 190 employees, including 170 drivers, and operates a fleet of 150 vehicles. The company was founded in 1962 and has grown significantly in the pharmaceutical transport sector under the leadership of Franck Guerpillon since 2007.

• The acquisition agreement excludes EFMO Logistique, a separate warehousing entity owned by Guerpillon. Guerpillon will continue to lead TFMO following the acquisition.

• This acquisition follows H.Essers' purchase of Italian transport company Romano Trasporti in October 2023, which was aimed at strengthening its healthcare logistics presence in Europe.

• H.Essers CEO Gert Bervoets stated that the acquisition aligns with the company's strategy to become a leading player in the healthcare sector and expand its presence in France.

• With a turnover exceeding €1 billion and nearly 8,000 employees across 18 countries, H.Essers aims to further solidify its position as a prominent European logistics provider through this acquisition. (link)

Star Refrigeration researchers to unveil pioneering research at the 8th IIR International Conference on Sustainability and Cold Chain 2024 Star Refrigeration researchers, Dr. Andy Pearson and Dr. Dermot Cotter, are set to present groundbreaking research at the 8th IIR International Conference on Sustainability and Cold Chain 2024 in Tokyo, Japan.

• Their work focuses on eco-friendly refrigeration and energy efficiency, emphasizing the use of CO2 and ammonia refrigerants, AI, and data analytics to reduce carbon emissions.

• Dr. Pearson and Dr. Cotter will deliver three key presentations. The first, "Performance comparisons for ammonia and carbon dioxide cold storage systems," co-authored with Dr. Rob Lamb, will explore the advantages of CO2 over ammonia in industrial refrigeration, supported by real-world case studies.

• The second paper, "Building Digital Twins for Refrigeration Systems using Artificial Intelligence," co-authored with John Clark, will discuss the creation of digital twin systems to optimize performance and maintenance through AI and real-time data analysis.

• Dr. Cotter's third presentation, "UK Cold Stores - The Road to Net Zero," will outline a practical roadmap for the UK cold store sector to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

• The conference will provide a platform for discussing critical topics such as decarbonizing the grid, sustainable food and cold chains, and energy reduction strategies. (link)

USDA announces expansion of interagency collaboration to help reduce food loss and waste The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced an expansion of its interagency collaboration efforts to combat food loss and waste.

• This initiative aims to leverage the expertise and resources of various federal agencies to develop comprehensive strategies and solutions for reducing the staggering amount of food that goes to waste each year.

• The USDA recognizes that food loss and waste have significant economic, environmental, and social implications. By joining forces with agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the USDA seeks to address this issue from multiple angles.

• Key areas of focus include improving supply chain efficiency, promoting consumer education, and exploring innovative technologies for food preservation and distribution. The collaboration will also involve research and data analysis to better understand the root causes of food loss and waste, as well as identifying best practices for prevention and reduction.

• This interagency effort underscores the government's commitment to sustainable food systems and aligns with broader goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, conserving natural resources, and ensuring food security in the US. (link)

Other headlines

Overhaul launches innovative Cold Chain Quality Solution for real-time visibility, risk management, and quality control of temperature-sensitive cargo.

Easyfresh Netherlands partners with BlueBox Systems to improve transparency in cold chain logistics using the BlueBoxOcean platform.

Cold Chain Federation announces industry-leading speakers for Cold Chain Live 2024.

Portabull Cold Storage acquires Kelly Refrigeration and Freezer's electric cold storage container fleet.

BGFP International secures a $72 million loan to develop a cold storage facility in Jacksonville, Florida.

That’s it for today!

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