International Association of Refrigerated Warehouses
Encyclopedia
The International Association of Refrigerated Warehouses (IARW) came into existence in 1891 when a number of conventional warehouse men took on the demands of storing perishable food
and soon realized the increased challenge and complexity of operating temperature control
led storage facilities.
IARW's goals and activities have broadened considerably over the years. Today, in addition to collecting information and encouraging the exchange of ideas, the association aggressively promotes more efficient distribution
services, aids members in adopting new technology, advises members of legislation and regulations affecting the food industry
, assists members in complying with U.S. and international regulations, and participates in alliances with industry and international organization
s having a common interest in the safe and efficient flow of food products around the world. All active members of IARW are also members and beneficiaries of the work of The World Food Logistics Organization(WFLO).
The Global Cold Chain Alliance officially launched in April 2007. The Alliance now acts as the platform for communication, networking and education for each link of the cold chain
. It serves as the focused voice of the cold chain industry.
The International Association of Refrigerated Warehouses (IARW) and the World Food Logistics Organization (WFLO) have an impressive history of serving the food industry
through the twentieth century and the impressive development of refrigeration in the movement of food products.
Moving towards and into the 21st century, many of these organizations’ members had found a need to adapt business model
s in response to an acceleration of changing global conditions. This response represented an increased integration of the cold chain industry. This had, in turn, initiated closer relationships among all players in the supply chain
. Developments such as dedicated distribution facilities and public refrigerated warehouse (PRW) investment in trucking assets bore witness to this trend.
established in 1994 to meet a growing demand in the transportation industry
for chilled and frozen food
products. IRTA has a core international membership of companies involved in the refrigerated transportation industry that primarily includes: Ports, Trucking, Warehousing/Logistics, Marine Shipping, Rail, and Air.
Shelf life
Shelf life is the length of time that food, drink, medicine, chemicals, and many other perishable items are given before they are considered unsuitable for sale, use, or consumption...
and soon realized the increased challenge and complexity of operating temperature control
Temperature control
Temperature control is a process in which change of temperature of a space is measured or otherwise detected, and the passage of heat energy into or out of the space is adjusted to achieve a desired average temperature....
led storage facilities.
IARW's goals and activities have broadened considerably over the years. Today, in addition to collecting information and encouraging the exchange of ideas, the association aggressively promotes more efficient distribution
Distribution (business)
Product distribution is one of the four elements of the marketing mix. An organization or set of organizations involved in the process of making a product or service available for use or consumption by a consumer or business user.The other three parts of the marketing mix are product, pricing,...
services, aids members in adopting new technology, advises members of legislation and regulations affecting the food industry
Food industry
The food production is a complex, global collective of diverse businesses that together supply much of the food energy consumed by the world population...
, assists members in complying with U.S. and international regulations, and participates in alliances with industry and international organization
International organization
An intergovernmental organization, sometimes rendered as an international governmental organization and both abbreviated as IGO, is an organization composed primarily of sovereign states , or of other intergovernmental organizations...
s having a common interest in the safe and efficient flow of food products around the world. All active members of IARW are also members and beneficiaries of the work of The World Food Logistics Organization(WFLO).
Global Cold Chain Alliance
The Global Cold Chain Alliance officially launched in April 2007. The Alliance now acts as the platform for communication, networking and education for each link of the cold chain
Cold chain
A cold chain is a temperature-controlled supply chain. An unbroken cold chain is an uninterrupted series of storage and distribution activities which maintain a given temperature range...
. It serves as the focused voice of the cold chain industry.
The International Association of Refrigerated Warehouses (IARW) and the World Food Logistics Organization (WFLO) have an impressive history of serving the food industry
Food industry
The food production is a complex, global collective of diverse businesses that together supply much of the food energy consumed by the world population...
through the twentieth century and the impressive development of refrigeration in the movement of food products.
Moving towards and into the 21st century, many of these organizations’ members had found a need to adapt business model
Business model
A business model describes the rationale of how an organization creates, delivers, and captures value...
s in response to an acceleration of changing global conditions. This response represented an increased integration of the cold chain industry. This had, in turn, initiated closer relationships among all players in the supply chain
Supply chain
A supply chain is a system of organizations, people, technology, activities, information and resources involved in moving a product or service from supplier to customer. Supply chain activities transform natural resources, raw materials and components into a finished product that is delivered to...
. Developments such as dedicated distribution facilities and public refrigerated warehouse (PRW) investment in trucking assets bore witness to this trend.
International Refrigerated Transportation Association(IRTA)
IRTA is an international, non-profit organizationNon-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
established in 1994 to meet a growing demand in the transportation industry
Transport
Transport or transportation is the movement of people, cattle, animals and goods from one location to another. Modes of transport include air, rail, road, water, cable, pipeline, and space. The field can be divided into infrastructure, vehicles, and operations...
for chilled and frozen food
Frozen food
Freezing food preserves it from the time it is prepared to the time it is eaten. Since early times, farmers, fishermen, and trappers have preserved their game and produce in unheated buildings during the winter season. Freezing food slows down decomposition by turning water to ice, making it...
products. IRTA has a core international membership of companies involved in the refrigerated transportation industry that primarily includes: Ports, Trucking, Warehousing/Logistics, Marine Shipping, Rail, and Air.
Top 20 Members in North America
| Name | Cubic Feet |
|---|---|
| Atlas Cold Storage | 212,798,043 |
| VersaCold VersaCold VersaCold is a Vancouver, British Columbia based company that provides warehouse and distribution services.-Profile:VersaCold, founded in 1946, operates 73 modern, temperature-controlled warehouses across Canada and in the US, Argentina, Australia, and New Zealand, with a combined storage capacity... Group |
194,350,106 |
| United States Cold Storage | 130,538,866 |
| Preferred Freezer Services | 99,050,000 |
| Total Logistic Control Total Logistic Control Total Logistic Control is a supply chain company started around 1902 by George K. Taylor.The company began as a regional distributor of frozen products known as Taylor Cold Storage. They operated frozen warehouse operations for other regional food companies in Great Lakes region. Around 1930, they... |
71,911,236 |
| Interstate Warehousing | 63,670,368 |
| Burris Refrigerated Logistics | 60,167,037 |
| Cloverleaf Cold Storage | 48,982,883 |
| Nordic Cold Storage, LLC | 48,749,348 |
| Columbia Colstor, Inc. | 43,130,000 |
| Henningsen Cold Storage Co. | 37,600,574 |
| Richmond Cold Storage Company | 30,530,167 |
| Hanson Logistics | 29,031,551 |
| Inland Cold Storage | 28,630,000 |
| Frialsa Frigorificos S.A. de C.V. | 25,470,709 |
| Zero Mountain | 23,644,000 |
| Congébec, Inc. | 22,500,000 |
| Interstate Cold Storage Inc. | 21,403,000 |
| Trenton Cold Storage, Inc. | 19,164,434 |
| Confederation Freezers Ltd. | 19,000,000 |
| Total North American Top 20 Space: | 1,230,322,322 |