In this blog, we’ll talk about the steps involved in choosing the right cold storage panel providers. Knowing what your needs are is key to finding the right provider to address them—but we’ll break down each step into separate areas of interest that you have to look into individually.
Identifying your needs
To ensure that the cold storage panel provider you work with is able to provide for your needs, you first have to know what those are.
1. Space and location
Determine how large of a facility you need. Ask yourself: How much inventory do you expect to be warehoused in the facility, and how often will this inventory be replenished?
In terms of location, you want to ensure that the facility is easily accessible to minimize the amount of time the stored goods are exposed to the outside. If you expect to be transporting the stored goods via truck, for example, the storage has to have easy access to a road.
2. Required temperatures
The temperature you will need to maintain inside the warehouse depends primarily on the type of goods that you’ll be storing in it. For instance, certain products must be kept at freezing temperatures, such as meat and fish. Fruits and vegetables, on the other hand, won’t require such extreme cold. Other products like canned and bottled beverages don’t necessarily need to be placed in cold storage, but they can greatly benefit from doing so.
3. Necessary equipment
A refrigerated warehouse is much more than just a room with a refrigeration system. You will likely need many other types of equipment like industrial shelving, lighting, bollards, partitions, and security monitors.
Comparing your options
Now that you know what your needs are, the next step is to approach potential panel providers and compare your options.
1. Certification
To be assured that the panel provider you’re working with is up to the latest industry standards and can provide you with quality service, check whether or not they meet approved specifications. Verify that they are in accordance with NSF International standards, the USDA, and other regulatory bodies.
2. Installation turnaround
You also want to take into consideration how quick of a job they can deliver, as you don’t want to run into unnecessary delays that may cost your business greatly. Ask for a timetable that includes every step of the construction process from start to finish.
3. Customer service
Finally, and probably most importantly, determine how well a potential panel provider communicates with you and addresses your concerns. There is a good chance you will need their services again in the future, so think in the long-term and start building a mutually-beneficial relationship form the onset.
Conclusion
There are other considerations that will likely factor into the equation, most notably the cost of the construction. Again, start with an idea of what your needs are, communicate those with any potential panel provider, and take the time to find the best choice for you.
If you’re looking for cold storage solutions, get in touch with us today and see how we can help your business.
