Low margins, increasing energy costs, and the rapid growth of online grocery and omnichannel retail are transforming cold chain logistics.
Blog Post
Grocery
Cold Chain Automation: Optimising Refrigerated and Frozen Warehouses
Automating refrigerated and frozen warehouses is no longer just a path to efficiency—it is a strategic lever to reduce energy consumption per order, improve batch-temperature traceability, and minimise staff exposure to low temperatures.
At TGW Logistics, we combine proven expertise in grocery warehouse automation with shuttle systems, AS/RS, ergonomic goods-to-person workstations, automated palletising, and intelligent software. Our solutions maximise space, throughput, and energy efficiency across chilled, frozen, and ambient zones—helping grocery and food distribution operations achieve reliable, accurate fulfilment with lower cost-to-serve and greater operational resilience.
What Sets Cold Chain Intralogistics Apart from Conventional Warehousing
Automating a cold storage facility requires more than applying standard warehouse automation technology. Thermal and energy constraints demand specific decisions already at the system design stage:
Temperature-zone management: from −30 °C up to +40 °C.
Freezer-ready technology: heated sensors, specialised lubricants, reinforced electronics.
Optimised operational design: limits staff exposure to cold zones and maximises thermal efficiency.
Climate control of usable volume rather than ambient air: reduces energy consumption and operating costs.
These requirements make cold chain intralogistics fundamentally different from conventional warehousing—requiring automation that is both mechanically robust and energy-efficient.
TGW Logistics Cold Chain Automation Solutions
Every cold storage warehouse has unique operational challenges—from maintaining strict temperature integrity to handling diverse product formats and adapting to fluctuating demand.
TGW Logistics delivers modular, scalable solutions for grocery and food distribution, combining high-density storage, fast throughput, and optimised energy performance across all temperature zones.
Our cold chain automation portfolio includes:
All components—from conveyors to electrical cabinets and sensors—are built with materials and IP protection certified for sub-zero environments. Maintenance and defrosting cycles are orchestrated by software, ensuring consistent system availability and uninterrupted operation.
Balancing Storage Density, Throughput, and Energy Efficiency
A key design decision in cold chain automation is how to balance storage density with operational throughput:
When density is the priority, deep-lane AS/RS systems maximise usable cubic meters and reduce the climate-controlled volume.
- When throughput is critical, multi-level shuttle systems such as Stingray support high order peaks, dynamic buffers, and rapid dispatch processes.
Early flow simulation helps identify the optimal balance and avoid bottlenecks or unnecessary energy consumption. Achieving this equilibrium is essential for designing sustainable, high-performance automated cold storage facilities.
Automate Your Cold Chain Facility with Technology Built for Every Degree
From fresh to frozen products, TGW Logistics designs operations that are safer, more efficient, and fully scalable. By combining advanced technology with deep industry expertise, we help grocery retailers and food distributors achieve outstanding product quality, operational efficiency, and the high service-level expectations of e-grocery.
TGW Logistics is a foundation-owned company headquartered in Austria and a global leader in warehouse automation and warehouse logistics. As a trusted systems integrator with more than 50 years of experience, we deliver end-to-end services: designing, implementing, and maintaining fulfilment centres powered by mechatronics, robotics, and advanced software solutions. With over 4,500 employees spanning Europe, Asia, and North America, we combine expertise, innovation, and a customer-centric dedication to help keep your business growing. With TGW Logistics, it's possible to transform your warehouse logistics into a competitive advantage.
