New Zealand produce company Scales Corporation (NZX: SCL) this week celebrated the opening of its subsidiary Polarcold’s coldstore facility at the Port of Auckland. 

The 11,800 square meter plant is located on the port's South Auckland Freight Hub.

Scales Corporation managing director Andy Borland says the Polarcold Auckland facility has been established to store butter for Fonterra and a range of frozen food products for import, export and domestic clients.

"This project has been a huge undertaking in a [NZ]$33m capital partnership between Scales and Ports of Auckland completed on time and within budget over only 10 months," Borland says.

"The location of the facility on Ports of Auckland’s South Auckland Freight Hub provides strategic transport links to both rail and major road networks for the efficient movement of frozen food products to and from the port and the wider Auckland area."

A range of leading edge technologies has been used to ensure the facility is as green and sustainable as possible, the company said.

They include water harvesting for the refrigeration cooling system, a bio-retention device for storm and waste water management, automatic sensor LED lighting and an energy-efficient refrigeration plant.

Live online inventory systems provide product quality and movement information for both Polarcold and its clients.

"Successfully completing a project of this magnitude in a very busy Auckland construction market is a credit to all involved," Borland says.

"This business is making a positive contribution to both the South Auckland economy, and Scales’ profitability, with 20 new permanent jobs created."

Photo: Port of Auckland, via Wikimedia Creative Commons

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