🧊 Frigocaserta: vision, perseverance, and strategic evolution

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

In today’s edition:

• Frigocaserta - a story of vision, perseverance, and strategic evolution

• upcoming cold chain trends by Maersk

• AI in cold chain logistics

• Cold Chain Federation UK appoints new CEO

Cube Cold

Frigocaserta: vision, perseverance, and strategic evolution Frigocaserta (now part of CubeCold platform) is a cold chain industry leader in the Italian market. The company started as a small 5000-pallet warehouse and expanded its services to meet growing customer demands.

Today, Frigocaserta has a total capacity of 78,000 pallets, including 25,000 pallets of newly built semi-automated temperature-controlled warehouse.

Frigocaserta attributes its success to strategic collaborations, calculated risks, and prioritizing customer success above all.

Now part of the CubeCold platform, Frigocaserta is looking forward to new opportunities. (read the full story here)

News

What to expect in 2024: Upcoming cold chain trends by Maersk Consolidation has been a continuous trend in the cold supply chain industry, with numerous acquisitions in North America and Europe by private equity companies.

Key upcoming cold chain trends in 2024:

• The global frozen food market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.2% from 2022 to 2030, putting pressure on cold storage facilities in urban cities.

• Investments in software and technology will improve visibility and real-time monitoring of temperature-sensitive cargo, while artificial intelligence will be tested to enhance labor efficiencies and support inventory management.

• The pharmaceutical industry's growth and increased demand for healthy food products will require efficient cold-chain logistics.

• Automation will play a significant role in optimizing processes and addressing labor shortages, especially in cold storage facilities.

• Sustainability will be a focus, with a transition to renewable energy sources and the phasing out of energy-inefficient and non-compliant infrastructure.

• Cold chain businesses will invest in packaging and storage facilities for fresh food, keeping them close to the final mile.

• Integration and strategic partnerships among supply chain providers will increase efficiency, visibility, and sustainability.

Despite challenges such as high interest rates, the cold chain logistics market is expected to grow, driven by various factors including the pharmaceutical industry's growth and the rise of online grocery services. (link)

The Smart Warehouse: AI in Cold Chain Logistics Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing temperature-controlled warehouses and the broader field of logistics and supply chain management. This transformation brings enhanced operational optimization, increased efficiency, cost reduction, and improved customer satisfaction.

“AI will help evolve on-floor operations in several ways, from helping with scheduling activities, such as labor planning/modeling tools, to increasing efficiencies in the building by allowing optimization of work (reducing travel times by predicting and directing work activities),” says Kaushik Sarda, Senior Director of Supply Chain Solutions, Americold. “Computer vision technology powered by machine learning will also increase safety.”

To read the full article, download the digital version of COLD FACTS magazine by Global Cold Chain Alliance here.

Lineage to strengthen its Canadian network with an expansion of Foothills facility in Calgary Lineage is expanding its Foothills facility in Calgary, Canada. The expansion aims to meet the growing needs of Lineage's customers in the Canadian market, particularly those looking to export meat and other products to Asia and other global markets. The planned expansion will increase the onsite capacity by 30%, adding 1,500 pallets for blast freezing, bringing the total pallet capacity to 75,000 across the Alberta market. The Foothills facility will also feature expanded dock space, doors, and close proximity to transportation and rail facilities. (link)

No relief for cargo owners in cold storage crunch Cargo owners in the temperature-controlled storage sector continue to face challenges. Despite recent expansions from companies like Lineage Logistics, the demand for temperature-controlled storage continues to outstrip supply. The construction of new cold storage facilities lags behind, partly due to the high costs associated with cold chain infrastructure. The rise in online grocery shopping and demand for frozen food further contribute to the strain on cold storage capacity. (link)

People

New Chief Executive appointed to lead Cold Chain Federation UK The Cold Chain Federation has announced the appointment of Phil Pluck as its new Chief Executive. Phil Pluck brings extensive leadership experience from professional membership bodies such as The Freelancer and Contractor Services Association, the Glass and Glazing Federation, and the Royal Town Planning Institute. In his new role, Pluck aims to support and inspire Cold Chain Federation members to thrive amidst the challenges and opportunities facing the UK cold chain industry. The transition will be facilitated by a handover period with outgoing Chief Executive Shane Brennan. (link)

That’s it for today!

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