NewCold has opened an AUD 200 million [approx. USD 133 million] expansion of its cold storage operations in Victoria, Australia. The project adds 80,000 pallet positions, increasing the facility’s capacity to 180,000 pallet positions. NewCold’s two Truganina facilities now have combined capacity of 405,000 pallet positions for frozen, chilled and ambient storage.
The expansion includes a 10,453-square-metre (approx. 112,500-square-foot) automated high-bay freezer. The facility stands 40 metres (approx. 131 feet) high and operates at -23°C (approx. -9°F). It supports food manufacturers including McCain, Peters Ice Cream and Patties Foods.
NewCold said its facilities use proprietary warehouse management and automation technologies. Pallets entering the facility are automatically inspected, tracked and stored using an integrated system of stacker cranes, conveyors and shuttles, reducing manual handling and optimizing product flow.
The high-bay design is also intended to reduce the refrigerated footprint compared with conventional cold storage facilities by maximizing vertical storage. NewCold said this approach helps lower energy consumption while increasing storage density.
“As consumer demand for frozen and convenience foods continues to grow, our customers require highly efficient, scalable, and sustainable supply chain solutions,” said Bram Hage, Founder and CEO of NewCold. “Automation is not only about productivity. It also enhances product integrity, reduces handling risks, and improves overall operational performance.”
NewCold said it currently commissions between five and seven new facilities globally each year and has an ambition to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040.
