AIR CONDITIONING, COOLING & REFRIGERATION
Cold storage hire – adapting to a changing landscape
T
The HVACR sector navigates a multitude of shifts in the today’s business landscape, with hiring equipment remaining as an important solution standing out for its practicality and adaptability. Here Ralph Howes, cold stores major account manager, ICS Cool Energy examines how the food industry is adapting to new challenges, with cold storage playing an increasingly vital role in ensuring business and operational stability as well as food security
he fluctuating economic conditions, marked by factors like inflation and rising energy costs, have impacted the operational budgets of many businesses as well as consumer habits. There’s been a notable shift
in eating habits towards frozen food, given its longer shelf life and perceived value for money. As the frequency of dining out has decreased, the demand for ready-to-eat meals and frozen foods has increased. This trend indicates a greater need for efficient cold storage solutions. The food and retail industry requires storage solutions that can offer quick and flexible expansions to cater to this growing demand, ensuring food quality remains uncompromised.
Containerised cold stores
Containerised cold storage also known as a refrigerated containers, based on a shipping containers with an integrated refrigeration system, are emerging as a promising alternative to cold rooms. Such units can reduce food mileage, offer better control over temperature with connectivity and telematics, and ensure manufacturers can store more ingredients and finished goods on-site. This level of control is invaluable in a market that demands quick responses and adaptability.
Designed to be easily transported, cold
store containers are typically 10ft, 20ft, or 40ft in length. Well-designed units should make it simple and easy to organise products, with the ability to fit pallets or racking systems inside. Cold store units can also be connected for both one way and two-way communication, which helps manage and optimise the unit, reducing the risk of stock losses and food safety issues. Multiple cold stores can also be joined together without connecting walls to create one big open unit. Compared to building a cold room, modular cold store structures don’t require time consuming engineering, ground works, or long planning permission process. The off-site construction of modular cold stores also means less interruption to the business
and much shorter lead times. Businesses can continue to operate while assembly work is completed outside of the current business process. Modular installs typically take days whereas conventional building methods can take months and take up large areas of space for materials and machinery relating to the build. Once finished with, they can be removed without incurring large dilapidation costs if you move out of rented premises.
Cold store hire
In today’s economic conditions and in the ongoing debate between renting and purchasing HVACR equipment when businesses are considering alternatives to traditional purchase models, the inclination towards rental is becoming more pronounced. It seems to be the more strategic choice thanks to its advantages from financial flexibility to immediate access to the latest technology. A closer look shows that by hiring, businesses can
achieve advantages that can then translate to better service offering, more efficient operations and ultimately, competitive edge in the market:
• No capital outlay – expanding businesses want solutions that can grow with them, without the risk of investing capital. The lack of heavy initial investments and the ability to upscale or downscale as per demand, make cold store hire an attractive option. This approach allows businesses to increase or decrease cold store facilities in response to market demands without long-term financial commitment.
• Energy efficiency – the opportunity to hire the latest generation of cold store units contributes to reduced carbon footprint, and tangible energy savings, directly influencing operational costs.
• Quick market response – lead times for hiring portable and modular cold stores is shorter, offering minimal chance of stock loss and quick adaptability to market changes.
• Seizing the seasonal demand: as food producers approach seasonal demands, hiring cold store equipment provides a strategic and efficient solutions for temporary expansion, ensuring optimal storage capacity for example for the Christmas peak.
• Expertise on call –Hiring means businesses have access to engineering specialists who can help them set up and manage their unit. These engineers will optimise the cold store for specific requirements helping lower energy costs. A team of dedicated engineers can ensure market- leading response times translating to continuity of operations and again, minimal chance of stock loss.
• Versatile supply options – whether a long-term, planned project or an immediate emergency hire, renting equipment can cater to every scenario. And the flexibility ensures businesses can respond to any situation.
While the food industry struggles with uncertainties, cold storage remains a beacon of adaptability. As the need for efficient storage solutions grows, the HVACR industry’s readiness to evolve and cater to these demands will shape the future of food security and sustainability. Hiring of equipment marries adaptability with the efficient. It provides businesses the flexibility to navigate economic challenges, meet changing consumer demands, and address operational constraints, all while staying financially sound.
6 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER DECEMBER 2023 Read the latest at:
www.bsee.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38
