Temporary Cold Storage Cooling Solutions for Fresh Produce
The Challenge
At the height of harvest season, a large-scale food producer suddenly needed more cold storage capacity. Fresh produce was arriving on site in high volumes, straight from the field and needed to be cooled and stored immediately.
The challenge with fresh produce is speed and consistency. Once picked, it needs to be brought down to temperature quickly and then held within a tight range to protect quality and shelf life. Even small temperature fluctuations can lead to spoilage, dehydration or loss of product value.
Their existing system simply couldn’t keep up with demand. Without additional cooling, there was a real risk of bottlenecks, wasted stock and disruption to the wider supply chain.
They needed a temporary cold storage cooling solution that could be deployed quickly, handle large volumes and create a stable, controlled cold store environment from day one.
The Solution
We worked closely with the site team to understand the volume of produce, the layout of the space and the temperature requirements needed to maintain product quality. From there, we designed a temporary cooling setup that could deliver both capacity and consistency.
We supplied and installed:
- 2 x 125kW chillers
- Multiple large-scale low temperature; 50KW LT Fan Coils
- Full delivery, installation and commissioning
The chillers provided the core cooling capacity, but the real performance came from how the system worked together. The low temperature AHUs were used to move air evenly across the space, making sure there were no warm spots and that every pallet of produce was held at the right temperature.
That balance between cooling power and air distribution is key in cold storage. It’s not enough to just generate cold air, it needs to be delivered consistently across the entire environment.
Our engineers set everything up to pull temperatures down quickly as new produce arrived, then maintain a stable environment throughout the storage period. We also made sure the system integrated smoothly with the site, so operations could continue without interruption while we installed and commissioned the equipment.
The Result
With the temporary cold storage cooling in place, the site was able to operate at full capacity throughout the harvest period.
Fresh produce was cooled quickly and stored in a stable environment, helping to maintain quality, extend shelf life and reduce waste. There were no delays in processing, no loss of product and no compromise on standards.
Just as importantly, the site team had confidence that the system would perform day in, day out, even under peak demand.
As one of our on site engineers put it:
“In cold storage, it’s all about consistency. You need to bring the temperature down quickly, but more importantly, you need to hold it evenly across the whole space. That’s what we focused on here and it made all the difference.”
Sector Spotlight: Cold Storage and Fresh Produce
Cold storage is one of the most critical parts of the food supply chain, especially for fresh produce. From the moment crops are harvested, the clock starts ticking. Temperature, airflow and humidity all play a part in preserving quality and preventing spoilage.
That’s why temporary cooling isn’t just about adding extra capacity. It’s about creating a controlled environment that behaves like a permanent cold store.
We support cold storage operations in a number of ways. During peak harvest periods we help sites scale up quickly so they can handle increased volumes without risk. In other cases, we step in during plant breakdowns or upgrades, keeping operations running while permanent systems are repaired or replaced.
Our fleet of chillers and low temperature air handling units allows us to build systems that are tailored to each site. Whether it’s a single cold room or a large-scale storage facility, we can match the required load, manage airflow properly and maintain consistent conditions throughout the space.
We also understand the practical side of these environments. Access can be tight, timelines are often short and there’s no room for disruption when product is moving through the site. That’s why we focus on fast deployment, straightforward integration and reliable performance from day one.
Because when you’re dealing with fresh produce, there’s no margin for error. Keeping the cold chain intact isn’t just important, it’s what protects the product, the operation and ultimately the business.
