Cold Storage Heats Up

Langan’s e-Commerce Expertise Helps Developers Deliver Food Fast

While the pandemic put many things on pause, it also sped up certain aspects of life as we know it. Cold storage – e-Commerce fulfillment centers that stow and send food direct to consumers and retailers – experienced exponential growth.

Factors such as rising food sales and increasing online grocery shopping are driving growth. Add in the pandemic and we’ve created demand that shows no signs of declining. In fact, industry experts estimate an additional 100 million square feet of cold storage space will be needed over the next five years.

“Online, direct-to-consumer food distribution is the new normal,” said Keith Ottes, Senior Associate, Langan. “Our clients are capitalizing on this trend, and fortunately they recognize that Langan’s e-Commerce experience, national footprint, and integrated technical services brings them measurable value, especially when it comes to speed to market, no matter where that market is.”

Langan experts are helping clients overcome a variety of unique cold storage project challenges. For instance, cold storage facility height can exceed 100 feet, which requires special permitting expertise. Optimal sites covering 40-60 acres with rail and road access bring with them myriad site and regulatory issues that Langan manages routinely around the country. Also, cold storage power demands are substantial, so such projects are best handled by consultants well-versed in utility design for such energy-intensive buildings.