As temperatures drop, many industries see a surge in cold-chain storage needs. While cold warehouses and ambient warehouses share the same purpose—storing goods—their operating conditions and equipment requirements are fundamentally different. For sectors such as food, seafood, pharmaceuticals, and other temperature-sensitive products, understanding these differences is essential.

In standard warehouses, the focus is mainly on load capacity, structural stability, and efficient space utilization. However, once storage moves into low-temperature environments, everything becomes more challenging. Cold conditions can affect the toughness of steel, making regular racks more vulnerable to impact. At the same time, cold storage facilities come with higher operating costs, meaning space utilization must be maximized to help reduce overall energy consumption.

Low temperatures also introduce additional design considerations. Forklifts and personnel tend to operate less efficiently in freezing environments, so cold storage facilities often adopt higher-density or partially automated storage systems to reduce travel time and energy loss.

As a result, there is a growing need for racking systems designed to withstand low temperatures, maintain stability over long periods, and integrate smoothly with automation technologies. Suppliers like Kingmore Racking provide solutions tailored for cold storage applications, including optimized structural design, low-temperature-resistant surface treatments, and configurations compatible with automated equipment.

Whether building a new cold storage facility or converting an ambient warehouse into a temperature-controlled one, understanding the engineering requirements and selecting the right racking system plays a crucial role. With the rapid development of global cold-chain logistics, cold storage is moving toward more refined and intelligent operations—and choosing the right rack system is an important step in that direction.

By Billie Yang

---6th, December 2025