Business Times Issue 102 | NewCold | Oct'23

NEW

LEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABILITY, PARTNERSHIPS AND TECHNOLOGY INNOVATIONS

NEWCOLD

NEWCOLD

NEW COLD: LEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABILITY, PARTNERSHIPS AND TECHNOLOGY INNOVATIONS

Project by: Malvern Kandemwa

Words by: Michelle Duncan

WHEN IT COMES TO COLD STORAGE AND SUPPLY CHAIN LOGISTICS, NEWCOLD IS A NAME THAT STANDS OUT FROM THE REST. THIS IS A COMPANY THAT SPECIALISES IN AUTOMATED COLD STORAGE AND COLD CHAIN LOGISTICS, OFFERING INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR FROZEN FOOD PRODUCERS AND DISTRIBUTORS AROUND THE WORLD. FOUNDED IN 2012 BY BRAM HAGE, NEWCOLD HAS GROWN INTO ONE OF THE LARGEST AND FASTEST GROWING COMPANIES IN ITS SECTOR, WITH 15 LOCATIONS ACROSS THREE CONTINENTS, OVER 1,600 EMPLOYEES, AND MORE THAN 1.1 MILLION PALLET POSITIONS. WITH A GLOBAL PRESENCE AND A COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABILITY, THIS INNOVATIVE COMPANY HAS REVOLUTIONISED THE INDUSTRY WITH ITS ULTRAMODERN FACILITIES, INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY, AND FORWARD-THINKING PARTNERSHIPS.

LEADERSHIP

At the helm of this success story is Abhy Maharaj, who joined NewCold as its global chief commercial officer and chief operating officer in July 2019. Maharaj is responsible for driving the company’s growth strategy, customer relationships, operational excellence, and innovation across all markets.

Maharaj brings with him a wealth of experience and expertise in various sectors, including aviation, dairy, and technology. He started his career as a manager of

investor relations at Air New Zealand, where he helped to communicate the airline’s strategy and performance to shareholders and analysts. He then moved to Fonterra, the world’s largest dairy exporter, where he held several senior roles, including group general manager of investor relations, global head of digital transformation, and managing director of global ingredients.

Maharaj says he was attracted to NewCold by its unique business model, which combines innovative technology with custom-

er-centricity and sustainability. “When I looked at NewCold, I was blown away by the vision and ambition of its founder, Bram Hage, who had a clear idea of how to disrupt the cold storage industry with automation and data,” he says. “I also saw a great opportunity to leverage my experience in digital transformation and customer service to help NewCold grow and scale globally.”

Today, NewCold operates 10 stateof-the-art facilities across Europe, Australia, and North America, serving customers in various sectors such as food manufacturing, retail, and foodservice.

Under his leadership, NewCold has received many awards and recognition for its innovative and sustainable approach to the cold chain industry. In 2020, NewCold won the International Association of Refrigerated Warehouses (IARW) Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA) Innovation Award for its automated pallet handling system.

NewCold founder, Bram Hage, opening a new warehouse in Italy

“When I looked at NewCold I was blown away by the vision and ambition of its founder, Bram Hage, who had a clear idea of how to disrupt the cold storage industry with automation and data...”

Abhy Maharaj, Global Chief Commercial Officer Chief Operating Officer

SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS

Another core pillar of NewCold’s strategy is sustainability, which Maharaj says is embedded in everything the company does. “Sustainability is not just a buzzword for us, it’s a responsibility and an opportunity,” he says. “We believe that by being sustainable, we can create positive impacts for our customers, our employees, our communities, and our planet.”

One of the ways that NewCold demonstrates its commitment to sustainability is by reducing its environmental footprint through energy efficiency and renewable energy sources. The company designs its warehouses to minimise heat loss and maximise natural light, and uses advanced insulation materials and refrigeration systems that reduce energy consumption by up to 50% compared to conventional cold storage facilities.

The company’s automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS) are designed to minimise energy consumption and reduce the carbon footprint of its operations. NewCold is committed to reducing its environmental impact and has implemented several initiatives to achieve this goal. One of the ways they are doing this is through their facilities, which are designed to be energy-efficient and sustainable. For example, they use natural refrigerants, LED lighting, and advanced insulation systems to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, their automated systems and robotic technology help to minimise

waste and reduce the need for human labour.

Another way that NewCold is promoting sustainability is through their partnerships with like-minded companies. They collaborate closely with their customers to develop sustainable supply chain solutions, such as reducing transportation miles and using renewable energy sources. They also partner with technology providers to develop innovative solu-

tions that help reduce waste and improve efficiency.

NewCold also invests in solar panels and wind turbines to generate clean energy for its operations. For example, its warehouse in Wakefield, UK, has a rooftop solar farm that can produce up to 1.5 megawatts of electricity per year, enough to power 400 homes. The warehouse also has a wind turbine that can generate up to 2 megawatts of electricity.

KEY STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS

NewCold’s success is in part due to its strong partnerships with companies across the supply chain. They collaborate closely with their customers to develop customised solutions that meet their unique needs. This includes everything from managing inventory to perfecting transport routes. They also partner with logistics providers to ensure that

goods are transported in the most efficient and sustainable way possible.

They have set up strong relationships with some of the world’s leading frozen food companies, such as McCain, Unilever, Froneri, Lamb Weston Meijer, and General Mills. These companies trust NewCold to store and distribute their products with the highest standards of quality and efficiency.

Also partnering with other industry players to support its growth and innovation. For example, NewCold has a long-term partnership with Westport Capital Partners, a private real estate investment firm that supplies capital and strategic guidance to NewCold. NewCold also recently formed a joint venture with Global Metal Construction (GMC), a warehousing specialist based in China, to expand its presence in the Asian market.

In addition to partnerships with customers and logistics providers, NewCold also collaborates with technology companies. They are always looking for innovative solutions to improve their operations and better serve their customers. For example, they use automation and robotics to increase efficiency and reduce errors. They also use data analytics and artificial intelligence to optimise inventory management and transport routes.

TECHNOLOGY INNOVATIONS AND TRANSFORMATION

One of the key differentiators of NewCold is its use of technology to optimise every aspect of its operations, from warehouse design and construction to inventory management and transport planning. The company uses warehouse management software (WMS) developed by Davanti Warehousing, which delivers a cloud-based solution that integrates seamlessly with NewCold’s automated systems and equipment.

The WMS enables NewCold to achieve prominent levels of efficiency, accuracy, safety, and traceability in its warehouses, which are 80-90% automated and can store up to 200,000 pallets at temperatures as low as -23°C. The WMS also allows NewCold to supply real-time visibility and control to its cus-

tomers, who can access their inventory data anytime and anywhere via a web portal or mobile app.

Maharaj says that technology is at the heart of NewCold’s value proposition and competitive advantage. “Technology is not just a tool for us, it’s a way of thinking and doing business,” he says. “We use technology to deliver solutions that meet our customers’ needs and expectations, as well as our own goals of operational excellence and innovation.”

He adds that technology also enables NewCold to adapt quickly to changing market conditions and customer demands. “We are constantly looking for ways to improve our processes and systems, as well as to explore new opportunities and technologies that can add value to our customers and our business,” he says. “We have a

culture of learning and experimentation that allows us to evaluate new ideas and scale them up if they work.”

The company uses telematics technology to track the location and temperature of its trucks in real-time, ensuring that products are transported at the right temperature and arrive at their destination on time. NewCold’s trucks are also equipped with the latest safety features, such as lane departure warnings and collision avoidance systems.

Another way that NewCold is using technology to improve their operations is through data analytics and artificial intelligence. They collect data on everything from inventory levels to transport routes and use this data to optimise their operations. This allows them to make informed decisions about everything from inventory management to transport routes.

EXPANSIONS

NewCold is constantly looking for new opportunities to gain experience in its business and serve new markets. In the past year, NewCold has announced several new developments and acquisitions around the world.

In Europe, NewCold opened a new warehouse in Piacenza, Italy, with a capacity of 100,000 pallet positions. The warehouse will serve Froneri, one of the world’s largest ice cream manufacturers. NewCold also bought Frigoservice and a brownfield estate in Portugal, marking its entry into the Iberian Peninsula.

Fisher Construction Group, Inc. is a closely held construction services company designing and building commercial and industrial projects throughout the US and Canada. Formerly known as Fisher & Sons, the company has a history dating back to the 1950’s. With annual revenues of over $300M, Fisher Construction Group ranks among the largest contractors in the Pacific Northwest, and US leaders in building automation facilities.

Fisher Construction Group is known as an exceptional general contractor delivering expert project management with meticulous attention to detail and a focus towards building long-term relationships with both clients and subcontractors. We go beyond the traditional contractor’s role, often acting as business advisors. Through close collaboration we’ll help clients make the best decisions – closely managing costs while maximizing efficiency – always delivering excellence beyond expectation.

625 Fisher Lane Burlington, WA 98233

In North America, NewCold started the construction of a new warehouse in Lebanon, Indiana, with a capacity of 120,000 pallet positions. The warehouse will serve General Mills, one of the world’s leading food companies. NewCold also expanded its existing warehouse in Burley, Idaho, adding 40% more capacity to serve McCain.

In Australia, NewCold completed the construction of a new warehouse in Shepparton, Victoria, with a capacity of 103,000 pallet positions. The warehouse will serve Unilever and Simplot Australia.

VISION FOR THE FUTURE

NewCold’s vision is to be the global leader in automated cold storage and logistics, offering innovative solutions that create value for its customers and stakeholders. They aim to achieve this vision by pursuing four strategic goals: Customer satisfaction, Operational excellence, Employee engagement and Sustainable growth. The company is leading the way in cold storage and supply chain logistics. With a commitment to sustainability, strong partnerships, and innovative technology, they are revolutionising the industry and setting new standards for excellence. As the world becomes more focused on sustainability and efficiency, NewCold will continue to be at the forefront of innovation.