We have played a pivotal role in the delivery of a new automated, energy-efficient warehouse in the Netherlands. Here’s how.
As demand for resilient, sustainable food supply chains continues to grow, global cold storage leader NewCold is investing in next-generation facilities across Europe.
In Dinteloord, the Netherlands, it has built a highly automated facility designed to operate independently from the national power grid due to grid constraints – raising the bar for cold storage efficiency and environmental performance across its network. Instead, energy will be supplied by a neighbouring power source and a state-of-the-art battery energy storage system (BESS).
We were appointed to provide project and construction management services, beginning with an early feasibility study. From there, our role extended through technical reviews, MEP (mechanical, electrical and plumbing) coordination, and on-site supervision, ensuring the project progresses safely and efficiently within a tight timeframe.
A trusted partner in logistics delivery
NewCold is the world’s third-largest refrigerated food logistics provider. Since its formation in 2012, the company has established 26 highly automated warehouses across three continents and has a combined capacity of more than 2 million pallet positions worldwide.
The timeline was especially tight for the Dinteloord project. As the facility had to be ready to receive goods within 20 months from the start of construction, the pressure was on to deliver at pace.
As a long-term partner to NewCold, we brought our global experience in delivering complex logistics facilities – helping to progress the project without compromising on quality or safety.
Our specialists supported every stage of the build, from technical reviews and MEP (mechanical, electrical and plumbing) coordination to site supervision, quality inspections and health and safety oversight.
Operational since spring 2025, the warehouse marks a significant new chapter for the company – both as a flagship European facility and a return to its Dutch roots.
Behind the systems driving NewCold’s automated warehouse
NewCold’s goal was to build a highly automated cold storage facility that would work as one fully integrated system. At 30,000 square metres, the Dinteloord site brings together advanced engineering, energy-efficient design and smart automation to move and store goods safely and efficiently.
At the heart of the facility is a high bay warehouse with capacity for 134,000 pallets. The pallet racking also acts as part of the building’s structure, helping create a tightly sealed exterior designed to save energy and maintain low oxygen levels inside.
The high bay warehouse is fully automated, equipped with a robotic sorting and handling system which manages all pallet movement, eliminating the need for staff in the cold store itself. This setup not only reduces energy use but also removes the risks associated with manual work in extreme temperatures of around -23°C.
Alongside the high bay, there is a separate manual warehouse with room for 3,400 pallets. This also contains a blast freezer to support rapid cooling. In addition, the facility includes dedicated areas for receiving, sorting and transferring goods, helping streamline the entire logistics process.
Delivered with confidence, ahead of schedule
Despite its scale and complexity, civil, structural and façade works were completed six weeks early – and the facility is now operational.
To date, construction has been delivered with zero lost-time incidents. Through close collaboration with the wider team, we’ve helped NewCold stay on schedule, while maintaining high standards of safety, quality and performance.
Building resilience into Europe’s food supply chain
Cold storage is becoming increasingly critical to the resilience of Europe’s food supply chain, as rising demand and supply pressures test the limits of existing infrastructure.
Now operational, NewCold’s Dinteloord facility will deliver wide-ranging benefits, from boosting capacity to improving energy efficiency and enabling faster, safer movement of goods.
As a long-term partner, we’re proud to have played a key role in delivering this key development – supporting a more secure and future-ready food supply across Europe.