🧊 Congebeck and Bradner join forces in Canada

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

In today’s edition:

• Congebec and Bradner Cold Storage unite to form Canada's largest multi-temperature storage network

• Lineage expands US cold storage network with Tyson Foods partnership

• UPS to acquire Andlauer Healthcare Group for $1.6 billion

• Thermo Fisher announces $2 Billion investment in US healthcare supply chain

• Carrier Transicold introduces Vector™ 8200 all-electric TRU for stationary cold storage

News

Congebec and Bradner Cold Storage unite to form Canada's largest multi-temperature storage network Congebec and Bradner Cold Storage have announced a strategic merger that creates the largest Canadian-owned network of multi-temperature storage facilities.

• The combined operation now spans 16 locations across six provinces: Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia.

• This alliance strengthens Canada's supply chain infrastructure by providing coast-to-coast logistics solutions that support food manufacturers looking to expand their Canadian presence.

• The merger leverages Bradner's expertise in frozen, fresh, and dry logistics while enhancing access to Trans-Pacific trade routes through Vancouver.

• Nicholas-P. Pedneault, Congebec's CEO, described the partnership as "a significant milestone" in providing unparalleled cold storage solutions, while Tim Ludwig, Bradner's CEO who joins Congebec's ownership group, emphasized how the merger will "set new standards in the cold storage industry." (Globe Newswire)

Lineage expands US cold storage network with Tyson Foods partnership Lineage, Inc., the world's largest temperature-controlled warehouse REIT, has announced plans to expand its US cold storage network through a strategic partnership with long-time customer Tyson Foods.

• The company has entered a definitive agreement to acquire four existing cold storage warehouses from Tyson Foods for $247 million, totaling approximately 49 million cubic feet with 160,000 pallet positions across Pennsylvania, Kansas, Illinois, and Arizona.

• Additionally, Lineage will invest over $740 million to develop two fully automated cold storage warehouses in major US distribution markets, with Tyson Foods as an anchor customer.

• These greenfield developments will add more than 80 million cubic feet and nearly 260,000 pallet positions to Lineage's network.

• As part of the acquisition, expected to close in Q2 2025, Lineage will also welcome more than 1,000 Tyson Foods employees to its team. (Lineage)

UPS to acquire Andlauer Healthcare Group for $1.6 billion UPS has announced a definitive agreement to acquire Andlauer Healthcare Group (AHG), a leading North American healthcare logistics company, for approximately USD $1.6 billion (CAD $2.2 billion).

• The transaction aligns with UPS's goal to become the premier provider of complex healthcare logistics and premium international logistics services globally.

• Following the acquisition, AHG founder and CEO Michael Andlauer will lead UPS Canada Healthcare and AHG operations, leveraging the combined companies' specialized capabilities to better serve healthcare customers throughout Canada.

• The transaction, expected to close in the second half of 2025, is subject to AHG shareholder approval and regulatory reviews.

• Michael Andlauer and Andlauer Management Group have already agreed to vote their shares in favor of the acquisition. (UPS)

Thermo Fisher announces $2 Billion investment in US healthcare supply chain Thermo Fisher Scientific has unveiled plans to invest $2 billion in its US operations over the next four years to strengthen the domestic healthcare supply chain.

• The investment includes $1.5 billion for expanding and upgrading manufacturing facilities across the country, plus $500 million directed toward research and development of high-impact innovations.

• The initiative builds upon Thermo Fisher's extensive US infrastructure, which currently includes 64 manufacturing sites across 37 states producing analytical instruments, specialty diagnostics, and life sciences solutions.

• Since 2017, Thermo Fisher has grown its revenue from $21 billion to $43 billion and increased its US workforce from 28,000 to over 50,000 employees. (Thermo Fisher Scientific)

Carrier Transicold introduces Vector™ 8200 all-electric TRU for stationary cold storage Carrier Transicold has launched the Vector™ 8200, an innovative all-electric, engineless trailer refrigeration unit specifically designed for stationary cold storage applications.

• This new solution eliminates the fuel consumption, emissions, and noise typically associated with diesel-powered units by utilizing electricity from the grid or other external power sources.

• The Vector 8200 features the TRU-Demand E-Drive™ energy management system that monitors power draw and adjusts to maintain performance during brownout conditions while preventing grid strain during power restoration.

• With four remote evaporator options, it offers flexibility for cooling one-, two-, or three-compartment trailers.

• Key benefits include exceptional cooling capacity (up to 58,000 BTU/hr at 35°F), advanced APX™ controls with IntelliSet™ technology, Lynx Fleet™ telematics integration for remote monitoring, and reliability-focused components like a fully hermetic electric scroll compressor and maintenance-free AC fan motors. (AJOT)

Other headlines

CEVA Logistics has signed a $440 million agreement to acquire Turkish logistics provider Borusan Tedarik, nearly doubling its presence in Turkey and adding 4,000 employees and 570,000 square meters of warehouse space.

Scannell Properties has begun development on a 139,674 sq ft build-to-suit cold storage facility in Fort Worth for an international food supplier, featuring freezer space, office space, and expansion capability, with completion expected in June 2026.

Identiv has partnered with Tag-N-Trac to develop and market IoT solutions for pharmaceutical cold chain tracking that combine BLE smart labels with a SaaS platform for real-time monitoring of location, temperature, and humidity.

Clearwater Capital has acquired SnoLink Logistics through a business rescue deal, maintaining its 480-employee workforce while planning a 43% capacity expansion that includes a new facility in Eastern Cape, South Africa.

UK-based Stablepharma has begun clinical trials of a revolutionary tetanus-diphtheria vaccine that remains stable at room temperature, potentially eliminating cold chain requirements and reducing global vaccine wastage.

Lineage’s Q1 2025 earnings call reported a 2.7% revenue decline, breakeven net income, and new $1 billion Tyson Foods agreements, while maintaining full-year guidance despite industry uncertainty.

Winnipeg-based Birkett Freight Solutions, a family-owned refrigerated transportation company that evolved from a single truck operation to a full-service fleet with expanded offerings, celebrates its 30th anniversary in business.

That’s it for today!

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