Liberty Cold Storage operates a 300,000ft² warehouse near Chicago, which consists of large rooms for USDA inspected market preparation, code dating and labeling, as well as other processing activities
Vertical Cold Storage has acquired Liberty Cold Storage. (Credit: VERTICAL COLD STORAGE)
Vertical Cold Storage, a developer and operator of temperature controlled distribution centres, has acquired Liberty Cold Storage from West Liberty Foods for an undisclosed sum.
In 2016, Liberty Cold Storage opened its 300,000ft² warehouse near Chicago in Bolingbrook, Illinois.
The facility is used to serve both the nearby West Liberty Foods processing facility, as well as other regional customers.
It consists of 36,000 pallet positions and 265 blast freezer positions, LED motion lighting, in addition to a 63ft refrigerated dock and drop trailer flexibility.
With plans to double capacity, Illinois facility also includes a high pressure pasteurisation machine for food quality/safety and shelf life extension.
In addition, the facility includes large rooms for USDA inspected market preparation, code dating and labeling, and other processing activities.
West Liberty Foods, a meat processing company owned by the Iowa Turkey Growers Cooperative, will continue as a major customer of the distribution centre.
Vertical Cold Storage president Curt Mastbergen said: “Liberty Cold is the perfect first acquisition for Vertical Cold because of its location near Chicago with intermodal access and the ability to distribute to 85% of the country’s population within two days, the talented staff and the quality modern facility that was built to the latest standards.
“We are open for business and are looking forward to serving existing and new customers.”
Vertical Cold Storage, a South Dakota based full-service solution provider sponsored by real estate asset manager Platform Ventures, is involved in the building, development and operation of temperature-controlled facilities across the US.
Platform Ventures co-president and co-founder Ryan Anderson said: “The goal for Vertical Cold is to build out a national footprint, and this acquisition bolsters that effort and creates a strong foundation for future growth.
“We are committed to sponsoring both transactions like this and new developments to reach that goal.”