🧊 Global cold chain update: M&A and market outlook

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

In today’s edition:

• Emergent Cold LatAm acquires Frialsa Peru

• Kuehne+Nagel expands European network with TDN Acquisition

• McCulla Ireland secures strategic investment to drive growth

• Lufthansa Cargo advances temperature-sensitive logistics

• Spotlight: European Logistics Outlook – Q1 2025

News

Emergent Cold LatAm acquires Frialsa Peru Emergent Cold LatAm, a major Latin American temperature-controlled storage and logistics provider, acquired Frialsa Peru.

• This strategic acquisition adds two modern cold storage facilities in Lima - one in Callao and another in Lurin.

• The deal significantly expands Emergent Cold's Peru operations, bringing total storage capacity to over 260,000 cubic meters and 33,000 pallet positions in the Lima area, plus an additional 40,000 pallets across Peru including their existing Piura facility.

• Lars Reyes, former Frialsa General Manager, joins as Country Manager for Peru, bringing valuable customer relationships and operational expertise.

• The expanded network positions Emergent Cold to better serve logistics needs in one of Latin America's most populous urban areas. (Emergent Cold LatAm)

Kuehne+Nagel expands European network with TDN Acquisition Kuehne+Nagel announced its agreement to acquire TDN (Transporte y Distribución Nacional), a prominent Spanish road logistics provider based in Madrid.

• This strategic acquisition significantly strengthens Kuehne+Nagel's European groupage network and Iberian Peninsula presence.

• TDN operates an extensive network with over 600 employees, 45 terminals, and 700+ vehicles through partner networks.

• The acquisition offers immediate earnings benefits and complements Kuehne+Nagel's existing Road Logistics operations.

• Transaction completion is expected within weeks, pending regulatory approvals.

• TDN will be fully integrated with Kuehne+Nagel to leverage combined strengths and deliver enhanced customer value while retaining talent from both organizations. (Kuehne+Nagel)

McCulla Ireland secures strategic investment to drive growth McCulla Ireland, a family-run temperature-controlled logistics company operating for 56 years, announced a strategic partnership with a European cold logistics investor.

• The investment comes from a private fund with €1 billion dedicated to building Europe's largest temperature-controlled platform.

• CEO Ashley McCulla emphasized that despite the partnership, the company's leadership and management team remains unchanged, ensuring continuity for customers who have trusted the business for decades.

• Ashley McCulla and Carol Thompson, who took control in 1992 from their father, will stay actively involved during the transition period.

• The new stakeholders are committed to preserving the company's successful foundation while unlocking future growth potential. (Coldchain News)

Lufthansa Cargo advances temperature-sensitive logistics Lufthansa Cargo announced significant enhancements to its temperature-controlled logistics services, building on years of experience transporting sensitive products like vaccines, microchips, and pharmaceuticals.

• The company operates two core solutions: "Active Temp Control" using specialized containers and "Passive Temp Support" with protective infrastructure across a global network of 350+ stations.

• Four new features strengthen the offering:

  • "Pharma Control Tower" provides 24/7 monitoring and communication for shipments through Frankfurt, Munich, and Brussels hubs.

  • "Thermo Covers" offer additional protection during ramp handling on select routes.

  • "smartULD" enables real-time temperature tracking with digital sensors for complete transparency.

  • "Passive Temp Support" can now be combined with td.Zoom for maximum transport speed without weight restrictions.

• These innovations complement Lufthansa Cargo's existing infrastructure, including the CEIV-certified Pharma Hub Frankfurt and 30 CEIV Pharma stations globally, reinforcing the company's commitment to quality and safety in temperature-sensitive air freight. (AJOT)

Report

Spotlight: European Logistics Outlook – Q1 2025 The European logistics market faced renewed volatility in Q1 2025 due to US tariff policies, which weakened economic growth forecasts across the region despite some benefits from redirected trade flows through European ports.

While the short-term outlook remains uncertain due to trade tensions, analysts expect potential recovery in the second half of 2025, supported by ongoing nearshoring trends, possible ECB rate cuts, and a strong investor appetite for industrial assets, with 85% of European real estate investors looking to deploy capital into the industrial sector over the next two years. (Savills)

Other headlines

Port Everglades (Florida) signed a 10-year lease agreement with Everglades Company Terminal, Inc. for a 39.18 acre terminal in the Southport cargo area, expected to generate over $161 million annually and support 425 jobs.

Agile Cold Storage and Ti Cold opened their second joint cold storage facility in Pearl River, Louisiana, featuring 121,000 sq ft and 19,500 pallet capacity, with a third facility currently under construction in West Seneca, New York.

Karis Cold is developing a 99,530 sq ft cold storage facility in Chicago's historic Stockyards district, set to deliver in July 2025, addressing the city's shortage of modern cold storage infrastructure.

EQT AB appointed Per Franzén as new CEO and Managing Partner, succeeding Christian Sinding who led the private equity firm's growth from €7 billion to €40 billion market capitalization since its 2019 IPO.

Air India transported nearly 1,000 tonnes of Indian mangoes to 43 destinations across 31 countries in April 2025, leveraging advanced cold-chain logistics to deliver fresh Alphonso, Safeda, and Dussehri varieties to global markets.

That’s it for today!

If you have feedback or suggestions, please don't hesitate to respond directly to this email.

We look forward to hearing from you.

P.S. Did someone share this with you? Subscribe here.