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Scales Corporation [NZX: SCL] announced today that its Polarcold Stores has secured a long-term commitment from Fonterra to take 50% of a new cold store in Auckland.
The facility will be located at Ports of Auckland’s intermodal freight hub in Wiri, where Polarcold has a long-term lease. When it becomes operational (which is expected by the third quarter of 2015), it will expand Scales’ total cold storage capacity by 16%.
According to Scales Corporation managing director Andy Borland, “New Zealand’s perishable food exports have increased by almost 65% in volume terms since 1990 and our forecasts show this continuing into the future.
“While half of the capacity is fully contracted, it is anticipated the balance will be quickly picked up by import/export clients and FMCG customers across the Auckland region.”
The benefits of building the new cold store at Wiri, says Ports of Auckland chief executive Tony Gibson, “is its location plus its road and rail links to the Auckland sea port. It offers access to New Zealand’s largest market for importers and domestic producers and a fast efficient route to overseas markets for exporters.”
It will be the first Auckland-based cold store for Polarcold, which already operates facilities in Timaru, Christchurch and Dunedin, while associated company Whakatu Coldstores has facilities in Hastings, Napier, Kerepehi and Wellington.
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Polarcold to chill with Fonterra in Auckland
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