An efficient supply chain is essential for any business enterprise. However, managing the shipment and storage of cold or frozen inventory requires extra care. 3PL Bridge is proud to offer cold storage solutions for businesses in Dallas and beyond.
What Is Cold Storage?
“Cold storage” refers to any facility that houses cold or frozen products. This usually refers to the temperature-controlled storage used by food and beverage companies such as restaurants, supermarkets, convenience stores, and agricultural businesses.
However, pharmaceutical companies, as well as certain manufacturers of chemical agents, could use cold storage solutions as well. Even some cosmetics products require temperature-controlled storage.
How Cold Storage Affects the Logistics Industry
Temperature-controlled storage is vital to the logistics chain, especially for businesses that rely on temperature-sensitive products and other perishables. Third-party logistics (3PL) providers can offer these storage solutions as part of a suite of benefits to restaurateurs, grocers, and other retailers.
Product Protection
The primary benefit of cold storage is the ability to protect merchandise from changes in temperature or moisture. Some products may be uniquely sensitive to environmental changes and would simply not survive the conditions of a standard warehouse.
Ice cream is an obvious example, as it requires literally freezing temperatures to preserve the product. But moisture can also damage other foods, pharmaceuticals, and even cosmetics, which require a temperature-controlled storage solution to prevent loss of inventory.
Preserve Shelf-Life
Even if an item can survive the temperature or conditions of the outside environment, higher temperatures may accelerate the rate at which an item spoils. Cold and/or frozen storage can therefore prolong the shelf life of food items, minimizing the risk of spoilage.
Cold storage can also ensure that produce remains fresher for longer periods. After all, grocery shoppers are unlikely to purchase fruits or vegetables that show even minor signs of decay. Temperature-controlled logistics can ensure that retailers satisfy customer expectations and keep their items at vine-ripe conditions.
Save Costs
Spoiled merchandise cannot be sold. The more items you need to throw out, the more your bottom line suffers.
That’s especially painful for those in the food industry. Grocery stores and restaurants already operate on razor-thin profit margins. Spoiled food only places further strain on your cash flow. Cold storage solutions can minimize the amount of wasted food, which keeps businesses functioning profitably and efficiently.
Inventory Overflow
For many retailers and restaurant owners, space is at a premium. A local cold storage facility is a great place to store excess inventory and supplies, allowing these business owners to balance accessibility with functional storage space.
Suppliers also need temperature-controlled warehousing space to store goods before sending them to their final destinations. With cold storage units, these companies can maintain their inventories in an environment that suits their products.
Cold Storage Solutions in Dallas: What to Look For
In addition to the storage solutions listed above, business owners should make sure to find a cold storage provider that offers some of the following:
Tempering Services
This service is used to strategically alter the temperature of products (to either freeze or thaw the item) to meet the needs of the provider or customer.
Cross Docking
Cross docking ensures that chilled items are unloaded from the incoming delivery vehicle and loaded onto the outgoing delivery vehicle to ensure maximum efficiency.
Case Picking and Packing
Retailers rely on pickers and packers to retrieve products and assemble orders, all while retaining the highest level of care for temperature-sensitive items.
Value Added Services
The best 3PL providers can also include services that build your brand — offering things like flyers, packaging, and other materials to increase your exposure.
Let Cold Storage Heat Up Your Business
The right 3PL provider can take your business to the next level. 3PL Bridge offers a variety of logistics services to ensure your business operates smoothly and efficiently. Contact us to discuss your options or request a quote today.
Some of 3PL’s Most Popular Cold Storage Locations include: Dallas and Houston.
The “best” cold storage really depends on the products being stored. Food and produce can be stored in chillers, cold rooms, and refrigerated containers, depending on type and quantity. 3PL Bridge can work with you to devise the best cold storage solution for your business.
A cold storage warehouse offers the greatest possible storage space. Additionally, a cold storage warehouse is usually connected to the production and distribution facilities through a series of conveyor belts, creating the advantage of high production volume.
The difference between cold storage and cool storage is analogous to the difference between your home’s refrigerator and freezer. Cool storage refers to temperatures above freezing, reserved for produce and certain types of meats and dairy products. Cold storage uses freezing temperatures to store and protect items.
Cold storage requires ventilation to prevent moisture from building up within the unit. This is because moisture can affect the air quality within the unit, as well as promote the development of mold that can negatively impact the quality of the products being stored.
