Cold Storage Warehouse vs. Traditional Storage: Why Temperature Control Matters
In the field of logistics, the decision of selecting the most appropriate storage solution to use is crucial when it comes to retaining product integrity. Although traditional forms of storage serve well when it comes to storing clothes among other products, there are certain products that need even better control of the physical environment in which they are stored. This is where cold storage warehouses come in handy.
Cold storage warehouses offer appropriate storage conditions, thus preserving the quality, safety and value of the products to be stored. Knowledge of the impact of temperature in goods storage can assist businesses in making the right decision when it comes to the storage of their produce and/or products.
In this article, you will learn what cold storage means and how it differs from the regular storage system, and why temperature plays an important role in preserving the goods’ quality.
Temperature Control and its Significance in Storage
The storage of goods that are sensitive to temperature changes such as food items, pharmaceuticals, or some chemicals, requires the overseeing and controlling of temperature. A cold storage warehouse refers to a warehouse that is built to have certain temperatures that can hold chilled or frozen goods. Conventional warehouses on the other hand are normally configured for products which do not necessitate a controlled environment.
When temperature variations occur, food products likely to be affected may get spoiled, have bacterial growth, or deteriorate, thus causing financial losses. The climate in a cold storage warehouse is strictly controlled and allows maintaining the temperature at an optimum for products, beginning from the time they arrive at the warehouse and up to the time they are shipped.
The Benefits Related to a Cold Storage Warehouse
a. Extended Shelf Life
The first advantage of cold storage is that it provides longer product shelf-life as compared to other forms of storage. Such products as fruits, vegetables, dairy, and meat products are known to have a shorter life span, but you can extend this short lifespan for a much longer time if stored under the right conditions. Some products like pharmaceuticals as well as certain chemical compounds are also known to be better preserved if the changes in temperature are controlled.
b. Prevention of Spoilage
Cold storage also plays a role in minimizing wastage given that products do not get spoiled before they are consumed by the targeted consumers.
c. Compliance with Regulations
Cold storage warehouses help firms meet regulatory needs by providing regulated and controlled environmental conditions that preserve the products’ temperatures—to meet the required food safety regulations.
Conclusion
The decision of having a cold storage warehouse or going for conventional storage depends on the nature of the products that are to be stored. It is important to emphasize that investing in temperature-controlled storage is not optional if the firm is in the business of selling products that deteriorate quickly, for if proper storage is not employed, losses are inevitable.