| Cold storage warehousing is a trend many retailers | | | | guarantee that storage and freight is not compromised. |
| and manufacturers are seeking out because they | | | | Loss from the inside has always been an issue, but |
| offer full supply chain management. They enable | | | | warehouse operators now sense that they need to |
| better return on investments in a cost conscious | | | | go even further, protecting the perimeter of their |
| manner. Most present an exceptional realm of | | | | facilities. In addition to security technology, warehouse |
| services, utilize state-of-the-art equipment and are run | | | | management systems are introducing equipment to |
| by automated systems designed to increase | | | | enable the warehouse to operate under a more |
| accuracy. These single source providers offer cold | | | | automated system, needing less labor and employees |
| storage warehousing, transportation services, | | | | managing the operations. Bar-coding, scanning and |
| cross-docking, unloading and loading services, freight | | | | voice picking systems provide savings on freight costs |
| handling and management, and inventory auditing. Since | | | | for the cold storage business. These are just several |
| such warehouses deal with a vast range of | | | | of the cost effective technologies being implemented |
| operations, it is essential that the construction and | | | | by warehouse owners. |
| functionality of the facility are impeccable. | | | | Energy and labor efficiency are key concerns for |
| Selecting a site and configuring building placement are | | | | warehouse operators, and they remain at the |
| more important than ever when building a cold storage | | | | forefront of their costs. Many are saving by turning to |
| warehouse. This choice is typically based on wind and | | | | more cross-dock functionality. Larger refrigerated |
| water. A warehouse should have access to water for | | | | docks and facilities are designed for cross docking, |
| docking purposes; however, dock doors should not be | | | | complete with reverse pick location zones and |
| in the same direction of prevailing winds, as they | | | | systems. Energy, labor and transportation demands |
| infiltrate into the warehouse threatening the | | | | affect the design of the warehouse, which are |
| preservation of products. The amount of dock space | | | | reflected in non-traditional structures. Warehouses are |
| needed is also a determining factor in warehouse | | | | increasing in height since material-handling equipment |
| design. About ten years ago, a dock, on average, was | | | | can handle products at higher levels. |
| about 20-feet long. Today, they are expanding up to | | | | While many cold storage warehouses are designed |
| 60-feet and more. | | | | differently, they all have the same key function and |
| New technologies in the areas of security and | | | | purpose-to provide cold supply chain management for |
| management are being utilized at cold storage | | | | their clients from start to finish. Newer design |
| warehouses. Operators are implementing stricter | | | | techniques and equipment are being quickly introduced |
| security measures, inside, and around the facility. Some | | | | into the industry to keep up with the high demands a |
| clients are requesting these systems in order to | | | | cold chain requires. |