DESIGN-BUILD SOLUTIONS FOR SUCCESSFUL COLD STORAGE CONSTRUCTION

With millions of square feet of cold storage construction each year, ARCO is a trusted cold storage facility builder for food and beverage clients nationwide. ARCO is expertly capable of providing the best, most cost-effective solutions for clients’ cold storage design and construction needs.

ARCO’s team of design-build experts understands the unique challenges a cold storage facility presents and works to effectively analyze key components to reduce exposure and provide the very best overall solution. From distribution centers to processing facilities, ARCO knows the key components that need to be explored in the early stages of planning to ensure the most functional and efficient freezer/cooler facility.

CONTACT ARCO ABOUT YOUR PROJECT

EXPERTISE FROM A LEADING COLD STORAGE CONTRACTOR

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PROJECTS
constructed for food & beverage clientele
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MILLION
square feet of space constructed for food & beverage clientele
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PROJECTS
currently under construction for food & beverage clientele
SOME OF OUR
REPEAT CLIENTS
In an industry where expertise is essential, ARCO is proud to be a trusted advisor to some of the biggest names in the business.
Domino’s recently partnered with ARCO on our new 59,832 SF Supply Chain Center in Katy, Texas. Engaging ARCO at the beginning of the process proved to be critical to the success of our project. Their collaborative approach allowed us to work through multiple design iterations and made the transition into construction seamless.
Cory Wilson

Vice President, Domino's Pizza Supply Chain
FEATURED COLD STORAGE & FOODSERVICE PROJECTS
Goya | ARCO National Construction Cold Storage Project
GOYA FOODS
New Construction Foodservice Distribution Facility
Apopka, Florida
Cold Creek Solutions | ARCO National Construction Cold Storage Project
COLD CREEK SOLUTIONS
New Construction Speculative Cold Storage Facility
San Antonio, Texas
Latitude 36 | ARCO National Construction Cold Storage Project
LATITUDE 36 FOODS
Cold Storage & Food Processing Facility Renovation & Retrofit
Corona, California
Cold Point Logistics | ARCO National Construction Cold Storage Project
COLDPOINT LOGISTICS
Four-Phased New Construction Cold Storage 3PL
Edgerton, Kansas
Domino's | ARCO National Construction Cold Storage Project
DOMINO'S
New Construction Dough Processing Facility
Crown Point, Indiana
Performance Food Group | ARCO National Construction Cold Storage Project
PFG / VISTAR
New Construction Broadline Distribution Center
Twinsburg, Ohio
MORE COLD STORAGE PROJECTS
READY TO EXPERIENCE A BETTER WAY TO BUILD? 

COLD STORAGE FACILITY DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION CONSIDERATIONS

Because cold storage facilities require highly unique and specialized design and construction components compared to typical dry warehouses, it is critical to partner with an experienced contractor. Understanding the crucial elements of these specialized facilities such as wall types, refrigeration systems, underfloor heating, vapor barriers, temperature requirements, and more is highly critical to success.

COLD STORAGE FACILITY & PROJECT TYPES
FOOD & BEVERAGE DISTRIBUTION
FOOD & BEVERAGE PROCESSING
COLD 3PL/PUBLIC REFRIGERATED WAREHOUSE
NEW FACILITIES
EXPANSIONS
RETROFITS/ RENOVATIONS
COLD STORAGE DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION
WALL TYPES

Selection of wall type plays an important role in how a cold storage facility is cooled. New construction cold storage facilities can be built with insulated concrete walls (tilt-up or precast), insulated metal panels, or a combination of the two. An existing dry warehouse can be converted into a freezer/cooler space through installation of insulated metal panels inside existing walls (box-in-a-box).

INSULATED CONCRETE
INSULATED METAL PANEL (IMP)
BOX-IN-A-BOX
COLD STORAGE DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION
TEMPERATURE CONTROL & REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS

The choice of refrigeration and its supporting infrastructure plays a critical role in the success of a cold storage project now and in the future. Selection of the most appropriate building type and refrigeration system is unique to every project. Partnering with an experienced cold storage contractor like ARCO is essential in determining the best solution to maintain the proper temperature-controlled storage for a variety of fresh and frozen products.

AMMONIA
FREON
CONVENTIONAL AIR CONDITIONING
COMMERCIAL SPLITS
CO2
COLD STORAGE DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION
STANDARD TEMPERATURES

Temperature-controlled space within a cold storage facility must be designed and built to accommodate the specific product types that are being stored, processed, and/or distributed. For 3PL or public refrigerated warehouse facilities, incorporating convertible freezer/cooler space capable of accommodating a wide range of temperature requirements is important to increase marketability for tenants and users.

Having designed and built cold storage facilities for a variety of end-users, as well as 3PL and developer clients, ARCO can offer the proper guidance in the design stage of a project when it comes to the proper freezer/cooler temperature standards.

*Below is not an exhaustive list of all temperature standards

Pictured Above: 91,800 SF foodservice distribution facility with a 52,300 SF 72°F candy cooler for DOT Foods in Mt. Sterling, Illinois

CONDITIONED:
  • Beer Warehouse: 60°F-70°F
  • Chocolate (Humidity Controlled): 60°F
  • Candy: 72°F
  • Pharmaceutical Warehouse: 59°F-77°F
COOLER:
  • Cooler: 34°F-36°F
  • Cold Dock: 38°F-45°F
  • Draught Cooler: 28°F
  • Produce Cooler: 34°F-40°F, 45°F, 55°F
  • Pharmaceutical Cooler: 35°F-46°F
FREEZER:
  • Basic Standard Freezer: 0°F
  • Standard Freezer: -10°F
  • Ice Cream Freezer: -20°F
  • Meat Cooler (Freezer): 28°F
COLD STORAGE DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION
VAPOR BARRIERS

When it comes to cold storage facilities, ensuring proper insulation and a tight vapor barrier is critical. Lack of proper thermal insulation and vapor barrier detailing will result in condensation. Vapor barriers need to be airtight, not just watertight. Even a small amount of air leakage into the cold environment results in moisture with potential to condense or create ice in a cold space.

COLD STORAGE DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION
UNDERFLOOR HEATING

Extreme cold from a freezer can penetrate through the concrete floor past the insulation and into the soil causing moisture within the soil to freeze. Frost can then form in the subgrade soils potentially resulting in floor heaving and cracking and significant structural damage.

Choosing a proper underfloor heating system for a cold storage facility is crucial as soil underneath a freezer floor must be heated to ensure it remains above freezing temperatures to avoid potential damage.

VENT TUBES
GLYCOL
SELF-REGULATING HEAT CABLE
COLD STORAGE DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION
DESIGN FLEXIBILITY & AUTOMATION

Many food and beverage companies are looking to incorporate automation capabilities, such as automated guided vehicles (AGVs) or “Perfect Pick” systems into their cold storage facilities. While a facility can almost always be adjusted for automation integration, there are many advantages to incorporating the possibility into a facility’s design whether it is a new build or renovation project. For example, making accommodations for floor slab capacity, rebar placement, and flatness tolerances should all be considered when potentially incorporating AGV use. Oftentimes, adjusting the initial design for construction is a more cost-effective option to avoid extra expenses by having a specific layout and plan for automation in place. A flexible design can also help limit operational interruptions when renovating an existing facility.

Pictured Above: 324,564 SF foodservice distribution facility renovation for Performance Food Group/Vistar in Reno, Nevada, featuring four OPEX “Perfect Pick” automated picking system bays

COLD STORAGE DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION
SITE SELECTION

Because there has been a push to move perishable products through the cold chain at speeds quicker than ever before, locations that offer easy access to transportation infrastructure capable of reaching a large customer base and proximity to raw materials, packaging, and labor are highly sought after. While existing cold storage assets are primarily located within the core of highly populated regions, new developments are often further away from urban areas due to increasing land costs.

The increased competition for prime site locations has made challenging sites the new norm. ARCO’s site feasibility services empower clients to select the very best site for their facility. By providing site-specific cost information prior to construction, ARCO helps clients make decisions with full knowledge of their impact on cost and schedule.

Pictured Above: 200,275 SF beverage distribution facility for Scannell Properties and Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Northern New England in S. Windsor, Connecticut. ARCO value-engineered the site design during the preconstruction phase, decreasing overall project cost while providing the most efficient layout and cost-effective solution. 

THE ARCO ADVANTAGE

ARCO’s design-build approach is unique in that we offer preliminary design at no cost to our customers to remove the risk of substantial upfront expense. Our project delivery method combines quality of design and construction, management of capital expense, and adherence to schedule into a single point of responsibility. As a result, our customers reap the benefits of total integration. Our team of design-build construction experts effectively gains an understanding of each client’s business and analyzes the key components to reduce exposure and provide the best value to clients.

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DELIVERY
33% faster overall delivery
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SPEED
12% faster construction
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BUDGET
6% less total cost

With more than 300 projects totaling more than 40 million square feet completed for our food and beverage clientele, ARCO can take on even the most challenging projects. In an industry where expertise is essential, we are proud to be a trusted advisor of some of the biggest names in the business.

Contact ARCO to learn more about how we can provide creative solutions and alternatives to make your cold storage construction project feasible, regardless of complexity or scale.

MORE COLD STORAGE RESOURCES & PROJECTS FROM ARCO
FOOD MANUFACTURING & PROCESSING FACILITY DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION
When it comes to food manufacturing and processing facilities, there are many design and construction details that must be considered to achieve a successful project.
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Cold Creek Solutions
ARCO COMPLETES TWO TEXAS COLD STORAGE FACILITIES FOR COLD CREEK SOLUTIONS
ARCO recently completed two cold storage facilities totaling more than 700,000 SF for developer client, Cold Creek Solutions in Texas.
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Cheney Brothers
ARCO BREAKS GROUND ON COLD STORAGE FACILITY FOR BROADLINE FOOD DISTRIBUTOR, CHENEY BROTHERS
ARCO is thrilled to begin construction on a new 367,427 SF cold storage distribution facility for family-owned Florida broadline food distributor, Cheney Bothers!
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West Coast Cold Storage
ARCO COMPLETES FACILITY FOR WEST COAST COLD STORAGE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
ARCO’s Pacific Coast team recently completed a 127,000 SF cold storage facility for West Coast Cold Storage located in Jurupa Valley, just 50 miles east of Los Angeles in Riverside County within the Inland Empire logistics hub.
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ARCO National Construction