Third-party contract logistics provider (3PL) DHL Supply Chain has signed a deal with real estate development firm RLCold to develop more than five million square feet of temperature-controlled facilities across North America, DHL said Wednesday.
Under the memorandum of understanding (MOU), DHL Supply Chain said it will combine its operational and customer strengths with RLCold’s design, project management, and construction capabilities to accelerate the delivery of turnkey, food-grade, cold storage solutions.
Atlanta-based RLCold is a real estate development firm specializing in cold storage warehousing and processing for the food and beverage (F&B) sector.
According to the partners, the project is a response to shifts in demographics and the rise of online grocery and food delivery services, which are driving demand for strategically located, multi-node cold storage networks with high-capacity storage and automated handling that improve accuracy, protect freshness, and reduce obsolescence.
The initiative will offer both dedicated and multi-tenant facilities, allowing customers the flexibility to scale seasonally and by channel.
By design, the partners will deliver warehouses designed to meet the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) programs and include multi-temperature zones and docks; humidity management and air quality control systems; and high-clearance, high-density racking designed for space-efficient storage. The units will also optimize operation costs and reduce carbon footprint with airtight construction, advanced refrigeration controls, and sustainable energy solutions.
“In top U.S. markets, the average age of cold-storage warehouses is about 31 years making the need for modern, automation-ready facilities in the right locations a priority for food & beverage brands,” said Dennis Lutwen, President, Consumer, DHL Supply Chain North America. “This effort is not simply about expanding capacity. It will close the critical gaps in today’s cold-chain infrastructure and deliver smarter, technology-enabled facilities online where they’re needed most.”
Initial sites are expected to progress through design and pre development during 2026, with phased deliveries based on customer commitments and regional demand.
