FreezPak Logistics Plans Virginia Facility for Mid-Atlantic

The cold storage facility is expected to be occupied in 2025. (FreezPak Logistics)

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Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin hailed a decision by FreezPak Logistics, a full-service cold and dry storage company, to invest $77.5 million to build a facility serving the Mid-Atlantic region as a significant business capture for the state and Port of Virginia.

“All of FreezPak’s products will go through the Port of Virginia, a logistical advantage that will increase efficiency and increase its direct access to markets. This is a win for FreezPak, the Port of Virginia, and the commonwealth,” Youngkin declared March 14. “FreezPak’s decision to locate in the city of Suffolk demonstrates that Virginia is a supply chain destination, and its new facility will allow it to serve the entire Mid-Atlantic region.”

Headquartered in Woodbridge, N.J., FreezPak Logistics plans to build a 245,000-square-foot cold storage facility and create 80 jobs. Established in 2001 as a family business, the company offers frozen, cooler and dry storage combined with industry-leading third-party logistics services for the nation’s food supply.

With groundbreaking expected this month, the location will feature a temperature-controlled warehouse boasting over 58 million cubic feet of storage space. The company is expected to occupy the site in early 2025. The Suffolk location will have 35 loading docks, 60 trailer parking stalls, 90 container plug-ins and 62 car parking spaces.

FreezPak Logistics, a leading provider of full-service cold & dry storage services, is investing $77.5M to build a cold storage facility in @CityofSuffolk to serve the Mid-Atlantic region, creating 80 new jobs. @YesSuffolk @HRVA_Alliance @PortofVirginia, https://t.co/bclasU9TI8 pic.twitter.com/Fw10x9RyQv — Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) (@VEDPVirginia) March 14, 2024

“This facility will stand at a towering height of 75 feet, housing 49,512 pallet positions within a 191,909-square-foot freezer space and an additional 38,567 square feet of cooler dock,” FreezPak announced. It will also build a solar power energy array and a hydrogen fueling station for fork lifts, over-the-road trucks and yard switchers.

The new operations will enable the company to offer blast freezing, cross-docking, less-than-truckload and full-truckload transportation, repacking, overseas container plug-ins, e-commerce, and inspections by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Stephen Edwards, CEO and executive director of the Virginia Port Authority, said: “Development of nearly a quarter of a million square feet of cold storage capacity in our market is important for a couple of reasons. It will help the Port of Virginia expand its cold and refrigerated cargo business and it is another signal to the industry that there is real value in developing in and around this port, which is America’s most modern gateway.”

Virginia won over the project in a competition against Georgia and North Carolina, Youngkin’s office noted.

Caren Merrick, Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade, said FreezPak’s decision to move there underscores the state’s “strategic location, world-class infrastructure and the immediate access the Port of Virginia provides the company to reach its core customers.”

Michael Duman, mayor of Suffolk, said the new cold storage facility will be located in the Northgate Commerce Park.

The site chosen is strategically located 14 miles from the Norfolk International Terminals and major highway freight routes including major interstates (I-95, I-164, I-664, I-64, I-264) and U.S. Routes 58 and 460.

“The facility will align with our significant food and beverage manufacturing sector. It is a welcome addition and will contribute to our goal of economic diversification and continuing economic prosperity in our city,” Duman said.

Dave Saoud, co-founder and co-CEO of FreezPak Logistics, expressed gratitude for Youngkin’s help in gaining economic development incentives that proved to be “a crucial factor in launching our project successfully. His instrumental role in our decision to choose the state of Virginia and the Port of Virginia has been invaluable. We continue to expand our national footprint as a 100% family-owned business. We are excited to develop another port-centric facility. We look forward to expanding our service offerings to our valued clientele at the Norfolk port.”

Youngkin approved a $175,000 grant from the commonwealth’s Development Opportunity Fund — a “deal-closing” incentive from the governor’s office to secure a company’s relocation or expansion there — to assist the city of Suffolk with the project.

In other enticements, FreezPak is eligible to receive state benefits from the Major Business Facility Job Tax Credit for new full-time jobs created, benefits from the Port of Virginia Economic and Infrastructure Development Zone Grant and funding/services from the state’s Virginia Jobs Investment Program to support FreezPak’s employee training activities.

State and local officials also helping seal the FreezPak deal were from the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the City of Suffolk and Hampton Roads Alliance.

Michael Saoud, FreezPak co-founder and co-CEO, noted, “Our team continues to work hard on expanding our service offerings. Our proven track record is driving the development of facilities all over the country. Our company has shifted its focus toward buying land, entitling it, and constructing a world-class facility.”