Running a cold storage facility requires more than standard warehouse equipment and design. You need specialized solutions that perform reliably in subzero temperatures while protecting your team, maximizing your space and maintaining strict hygiene standards. Find out how you can equip and optimize your entire cold storage facility with the right equipment, design and support from Arnold Machinery Company.

The Unique Challenges of a Cold Storage Environment

Cold storage operations demand more from your equipment, facility and team than standard warehousing. Understanding these challenges helps you make informed decisions about the solutions you need.

Maintaining Strict Temperature Control and Energy Efficiency

Consistent temperatures are critical for product quality, but cooling costs add up quickly. You need equipment and racking systems designed to minimize the space you’re cooling while controlling temperatures reliably throughout your facility. Even small temperature fluctuations can compromise product integrity and waste energy.

Keeping Workers Safe in Demanding Conditions

Subzero temperatures create serious safety risks for your team, including frostbite, hypothermia, reduced dexterity and visibility issues. Cold environments require specialized equipment that reduces the time associates spend in freezing conditions. Proper equipment design and facility layout protect your workers while maintaining productivity.

Maximizing Storage Density

Every square foot of refrigerated space costs money to cool. High-density racking systems and narrow-aisle equipment help you store more product in less space, reducing your cooling costs and improving your return on investment. The right storage configuration can significantly lower your operating expenses.

Upholding Critical Hygiene Standards

Food-grade cold storage facilities must meet strict hygiene requirements by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Clean floors, proper air circulation and well-maintained equipment are essential for compliance and product safety. Regular maintenance and the right cleaning equipment help you consistently meet regulatory standards.

A Full Fleet of Cold-Ready Material Handling Equipment

Cold storage facilities need specialized equipment designed to perform reliably in subzero conditions. Arnold Machinery Company offers a full fleet of cold-ready equipment built to handle the unique demands of your operation.

Our cold storage warehouse equipment includes:

• Freezer-rated electric forklifts and pallet trucks: These machines feature specialized components designed for cold environments, including cold-weather batteries, insulated wiring and lubricants that perform in subzero temperatures. Electric models produce zero emissions, which is critical when working in enclosed refrigerated spaces where air quality is critical.
• Narrow-aisle forklifts for high-density layouts: Narrow-aisle cold storage forklifts help you maximize your storage capacity while maintaining efficient material flow. These specialized lifts work in tighter aisles than standard models, letting you fit more racking into your facility.
• Conveyors: Warehouse conveyor belts move goods efficiently between temperature zones, reducing the time associates spend in freezing conditions and maintaining product quality during transfers. Automated conveyor systems also help you move products quickly and consistently throughout your operation.
• Wire enclosures and partitions: Wire enclosures and partitions provide secure, ventilated storage that allows air circulation, which is essential for maintaining consistent temperatures throughout your facility. These systems help you create separate zones within your warehouse for different products or security levels.
• Vertical lifts: Vertical lift systems, including material lifts and scissor lifts, help you use vertical space efficiently. Material lifts move forklifts, machinery, pallets and other heavy warehouse products between floors, making multilevel cold storage operations more practical.
• Docking equipment: Our warehouse dock equipment — including loading dock barrier gates, guide rails, door guards and container ramps — protects your facility and keeps operations moving safely. The right docking equipment reduces loading and unloading time while preventing damage to your building and products.
• Industrial sweepers and scrubbers: Industrial sweepers and scrubbers designed for cold environments help you maintain the hygiene standards required in food-grade cold storage facilities.

Engineered Warehouse Solutions to Optimize Your Cold Facility

The right equipment needs the right layout. With engineered warehouse solutions from Arnold Machinery Company, you can design and build high-performance cold storage facilities that maximize efficiency and minimize operating costs.

High-Density Racking for Freezer Environments

When you’re paying to cool every cubic foot of space, density matters. Drive-in and drive-thru racking systems have become the standard for freezer environments because they maximize storage density and reduce the overall refrigerated space required.

These systems allow forklifts to drive directly into the rack structure to pick up or deposit pallets. Drive-in racks use a last-in, first-out inventory system, while drive-thru configurations support first-in, first-out flow. Both options deliver significantly higher density than selective racking, allowing you to store more product in less refrigerated space. An experienced racking provider can evaluate your operation and determine the ideal system to deliver the best balance of density and selectivity for your needs.

Custom Warehouse Design and Layout Services

Cold storage construction requires careful planning. Poor layout decisions become expensive mistakes when you’ve already invested in refrigeration infrastructure. Our custom warehouse design services use AutoCAD to model your warehouse before installation begins. This approach lets you optimize traffic flow, storage capacity and operational efficiency before making any costly commitments.

We offer additional warehouse planning services, including warehouse design simulation and warehouse site surveys that account for the unique demands of cold storage logistics. We also offer warehouse mezzanine platforms that help you make the most of vertical space in facilities with high ceilings.

Advanced and Automated Warehouse Technology

Advanced and automated technology helps cold storage companies increase efficiency while reducing the time associates spend working in freezing conditions. Arnold Machinery Company offers cutting-edge technologies like:

• Hänel vertical systems and automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS)
• Forklift telemetry
• Infrastructure-free robotic lift trucks
• Warehouse transportation solutions, such as sorters and pallet shuttles
• Lithium-ion and hydrogen forklift batteries

These systems help facilities run more productively with less manual labor in harsh environments. They also help address the ongoing labor shortage affecting the cold storage industry, as automated systems can operate around the clock without breaks.

Experience a Partnership Backed by Comprehensive Support

Arnold Machinery Company’s commitment extends beyond the sale. We provide the ongoing support you need to keep your cold storage facility running reliably.

Repair and Preventive Maintenance

Cold environments are tough on equipment. Our comprehensive repair and proactive maintenance services help prevent costly downtime and keep your equipment performing in harsh conditions.

Our repair services handle unexpected breakdowns like forklift steering and lifting issues quickly, getting your equipment back in service when you need it most. Our preventive maintenance programs are designed to catch small issues before they become big problems, extending equipment life and protecting your investment.

We aim to provide the best customer service and equipment in the industry, guided by our Silver Service® guarantee. Arnold Machinery Company is fully committed to your satisfaction and operational success. If you’re not happy, our job isn’t done.

Comprehensive Installation and Large Parts Inventory

Our professional installation services ensure your racking systems and equipment are set up correctly and safely from day one. We also carry a robust parts inventory, so we can get you the replacements you need without long delays that shut down your operation.

Improve Your Cold Storage Operation With Arnold Machinery Company

Arnold Machinery Company brings over 95 years of experience to the material handling industry. We understand the unique demands of cold storage operations, and we’re ready to help you build a more efficient and reliable facility.

From freezer-rated forklifts to high-density racking systems to ongoing maintenance and support, we handle every aspect of your operation. Our commitment to the Silver Service® guarantee means your satisfaction is our top priority, and we’ll do whatever it takes to ensure you’re happy with your equipment and service. Contact us today to discuss your cold storage facility needs.