Netherlands-based cold chain logistics company NewCold announced that it has signed Simplot Australia as new customers and is investing a further USD160m in its Victorian facility, bringing its total investment to USD460m.
NewCold will more than double the size of its Melbourne 2 facility, according to a press release. At 43 meters high, the site will expand from 115,000 pallet positions to 225,000, an increase of 110,000 pallets. The extension will include 30,000 for ambient/chilled and 85,000 pallet positions for frozen goods.
It will be a one-stop-shop facility with ambient, chilled, and frozen capabilities. One of the largest automated high bays in the world, the site also includes a container park. The expanded facility is scheduled to be operational in 2022. Simplot will transition all of its frozen products in 2023.
“Simplot is excited to be partnering with NewCold on our future Victorian frozen warehouse solution. We were attracted to NewCold’s fully automated AS/RS high bay solution, world-class systems, energy efficiency, and productivity, which stand above conventional cold storage solutions. The new facility will ensure Simplot can continue to efficiently deliver the products that Australia’s leading retail and foodservice customers depend on and ultimately provide an improved customer experience,” Simplot Australia Managing Director, Graham Dugdale, said.