| 33 LOGISTICS First Cold T T Karen Phelps Positioned itself as a more agile alternative Launching just before the pandemic brought both opportunities and challenges. First Cold’s focus on smaller customers has seen it rapidly expand since it started in 2019. From its original Hamilton facility it now spans locations in Stratford, Taranaki and most recently Napier, where it took over a facility in February. While larger cold storage operators can often impose rigid systems that smaller food producers must adapt to, First Cold has positioned itself as a more agile alternative, says Paul Vickery, CEO and Co-Founder of First Cold. This ability to tailor services to the specific needs of smaller clients, as well as having the capabilities to service larger organisations, has proven to be a successful formula. “Meat brokers, domestic food and pet food companies and start-ups are the mainstay of our business, though we still deal with larger clients such as Tegel, and Silver Fern Farms which appreciate our flexible and responsive service,” says Paul. Launching just before the pandemic brought both opportunities and challenges. “We experienced disruption to the supply chain due to the pandemic and being a smaller company starting out was also difficult as there were staffing issues in terms of people not being allowed to move around the country due to the Auckland lockdowns with staff in Auckland and Hamilton. But we navigated through these challenges due to the experience of our senior team and also undertook unique projects like reefer ship load outs for Port Taranaki which occurred for the first time in two decades. The pandemic also created need for additional storage requirements by companies, which helped the business grow,” explains Paul. The company offers temperature-controlled storage solutions across its facilities with temperatures ranging from -18°C to -25°C, chilled storage operating between 0°C and +5°C and ambient storage options. Its services also include blast freezing, container loading and unloading, pick and pack services, cross docking services, re-labelling and re- palletizing. First Cold’s Stratford facility operates under export Risk Management Program accreditations, enabling it to service clients exporting to markets including the United States, Canada, Japan, Korea, the European Union and Great Britain. Its Hamilton and Napier facilities operate as a registered Transitional Facility, allowing for import container unloading services. The company has also established international connections in order to go above and beyond to assist its clients. “We have built up strong reciprocal arrangements with two Australian companies, so if our clients require services in Australia, we can put them in touch and vice versa.” With a philosophy centred on its customers, First Cold has developed systems to provide clients with real-time visibility of their inventory through online platforms. Paul says this transparency represents part of the company’s broader commitment to communication and reliability. “We have a customer first philosophy. Our motto is ‘First in Cold, First in Service’. We never forget that without our customers we would not be here. We respond to their needs and will always try to create the best solution, even if it means recommending other solutions. That’s what our whole business is based on. We have an open communication model between ourselves and FSQSNZ is MPI recognised and IANZ accredited to deliver Risk Management Programme Verification and Evaluation services across the Animal Products and Dairy Sectors. We can also develop and deliver a range of validation, training, and other support functions to your food production, dairy or animal products business. FSQSNZ is a trusted provider of a range of comprehensive services specifically designed to protect and support the industry to achieve the highest level of confidence and compliance. Partnering with Industry for Better Outcomes 021 987 688 contact@fsqs.nz www.fsqs.nz • EVALUATION • VERIFICATION • TRAINING • CONSULTING our customers using the latest technology,” he explains. Currently employing a skilled team of approximately 15 staff across the companies three stores and Orewa based head office, First Cold continues to expand its operations and is looking toward future growth. “We anticipate expanding the network further within the next 12 months as demand for our services continues to grow.”
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