Blog Detail
DHL and RLCold Target Next Generation Food & Beverage Cold Chain Infrastructure
Next Generation Cold Storage Infrastructure Targets Aging Food Supply Chains
What Happened
DHL Supply Chain and RLCold have announced a strategic collaboration to accelerate development of advanced temperature-controlled infrastructure across North America.
The partnership aims to develop more than five million square feet of modern cold storage facilities designed for food and beverage supply chains.
The planned facilities focus on:
- multi-temperature distribution
- automation readiness
- modern warehouse design
- improved operational efficiency
The initiative addresses a major challenge in North American cold chain logistics: much of the existing refrigerated warehouse infrastructure is aging and requires modernization.
How It Works
Modern food cold chain facilities require more than refrigerated storage rooms.
A next-generation cold distribution center typically integrates:
Multi-Temperature Zones
Supporting:
- frozen products
- chilled food
- controlled-temperature products
Different products require different:
- temperature ranges
- humidity conditions
- airflow patterns
Automation Systems
Automation can improve:
- pallet movement
- inventory accuracy
- warehouse throughput
Examples include:
- automated storage and retrieval systems
- robotics
- warehouse control systems
Digital Visibility
Modern facilities increasingly combine:
- warehouse management systems
- temperature monitoring
- inventory tracking
- predictive analytics
This allows operators to understand both:
- where inventory is located
- whether products remain within required conditions
Why It Matters
Food supply chains are becoming more complex.
Drivers include:
- growth of frozen food
- e-commerce grocery
- private-label products
- consumer demand for freshness
At the same time, many traditional cold warehouses were built decades ago.
Older facilities often face:
- lower energy efficiency
- limited automation capability
- outdated layouts
- higher operating costs
Modern cold storage infrastructure can improve:
- product availability
- labor efficiency
- energy performance
- supply chain resilience
B2B Impact
For food manufacturers:
Modern cold storage improves access to:
- scalable capacity
- better inventory control
- regional distribution
For retailers:
Benefits include:
- more reliable replenishment
- improved freshness
- reduced inventory risk
For cold storage developers:
Future facilities will increasingly require:
- automation-ready designs
- energy-efficient refrigeration
- digital monitoring
For refrigeration suppliers:
Demand will increase for:
- high-efficiency systems
- smart controls
- low-GWP refrigerants
For technology companies:
Opportunities include:
- AI warehouse optimization
- predictive maintenance
- temperature analytics
The broader trend:
Cold storage is evolving from passive warehousing into intelligent supply chain infrastructure.
