RLS Logistics, through its Mount Laurel, New Jersey-based affiliate RLS Partners, plans to open its new RLS Complete warehouse in Sturbridge, Massachusetts during the first quarter of 2022. Specialty industrial cold storage builder Tippmann Innovation (Ti), which has offices in Florida and Indiana, will be leading the construction project.
The facility will provide frozen and refrigerated food distributors, processors and importers in the Springfield and Boston area with public cold storage services and access to RLS’ temperature controlled less than truckload shipping programs.
“It has been over 20 years since a public 3PL warehouse has opened in the New England region,” said Bryan Hedge, president and partner of RLS Complete. “We offer a complete solution to customers from our state-of-the art building, technology platform and transportation services, including our Walmart transportation logistics.”
The 83,000-square-foot temperature controlled platform will boast 18,000 pallet positions within a mobile racking system that allows the facility to hold 40-45% more pallet capacity than standard double deep racking configurations. It will also use an environmentally friendly refrigeration system that consumes less electricity than traditional ammonia-based operations, reinforcing the company’s sustainability initiatives.
“Seeing the vision of this project come to life is inspiring and exciting to be part of,” said Rob Adams, a principal at Ti. “We are proud to partner with RLS and support their team as the company grows.”
“A new build is always a proud moment for the cold storage industry. With the current capacity constraints we are experiencing, it makes the addition of RLS Complete even more exciting,” said John Gaudet, vice president of business development at RLS Logistics.
The cold storage warehouse will offer multiple temperature zones and value-added services including blast freezing, USDA re-inspection and EDI capabilities.
