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