National freight carrier Freightways is building a large, $40-million cold store facility in Hamilton to meet growing demand for fresh and frozen delivery services.
Freightways chief executive Mark Troughear. Photo: Supplied
The purpose-built 13,000-square-metre cold store facility for its Big Chill business will be constructed by Tainui Group Holdings at Ruakura Superhub, bringing the total number of Freightway's cool store depots to 10.
The facility was expected to open in July 2023 and would be capable of storing up to 16,000 temperature-controlled pallets.
Freightways chief executive Mark Troughear said the expansion of Big Chill was a crucial step in the company's plans for growth in the temperature controlled, quick service restaurant, fresh and frozen delivery category.
"With supply chains being pushed to the limit over the last two years, it is more important than ever that we continue to strengthen our networks and provide our customers with efficient service and delivery," Troughear said.
The superhub offered Big Chill links to inbound and outbound freight from the Port of Tauranga and would bolster its growing distribution network across the Waikato and Bay of Plenty, with increased capacity for overnight and same-day delivery to Auckland.