Your most important asset is the product you sell, so protecting your goods from damage and keeping them fresh with refrigerated storage services is vital. It's big business: The frozen food and refrigerated products industry in the U.S. nets $230 billion yearly.

Refrigerated storage units and warehouses are equipped with special technology to regulate temperature and may even be located underground in some areas. Most refrigerated storage services and facilities offer transportation and may be located near a port or manufacturing site, promoting speedy delivery.

There are many factors to consider and decisions to make when selecting a facility or cold storage container. Think about the following:

1. While price is a consideration when choosing industrial refrigerated storage, you need to analyze the best conditions for your individual product such as climate control, security and space.

2. Make sure to tour the refrigerated storage facility. Don't trust what you see in the brochure to be completely accurate.

3. Pay close attention to terms and conditions on the refrigerated storage services contract. This section will often reveal hidden charges or other clauses that may be undesirable.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Check out refrigerated storage facilities

Whether you need cold refrigeration storage or frozen storage, a variety of facilities exist to accommodate your needs. When choosing a pre-existing facility to lease space in, think about location and how it would impact your bottom line when it comes to transportation.

I recommend: Located near the port city of Seattle, WA, Seafreeze Cold Storage offers not only cold storage but also inspection, import and export services. Based in Indianapolis, IN, Merchandise Multi-Temp Warehouse offers frozen, refrigerated and even blast freezing services.

Locate a refrigerated storage container

If having a storage container on site is the best option for you, don't fret. A wide variety of containers-in all sizes to suit your specifications-can be purchased or leased.

I recommend: Whatever your capacity needs, browse the selection at Carlisle Leasing International. Find sales and rentals of storage containers from American Portable Storage with many different sizes and specifications to fit your needs.

For large needs, consider refrigerated warehouse storage

If your needs dictate a larger size than what containers allow, consider a warehouse. Some companies will build a warehouse for you. That's the perfect way to get exactly what you want, where you want it. Otherwise, consider existing warehouse facilities.

I recommend: Build your own, whether it be indoor, outdoor or a walk-in box freezer warehouse storage, with help from Bush Refrigeration. Check out Richmond Cold Storage Co., a third-party warehouse service with a variety of cold storage and transportation services.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Humidity as well as temperature is controlled in refrigerated storage space. Humidity levels are usually set at 50% with temperatures between 50 and 80 degrees.