Feature, Freight News, Logistics

DHL, RLCold Grow Cold Chain for Food-Beverage

[ February 25, 2026   //   Gary Burrows ]

DHL Supply Chain has signed a memorandum of understanding with RLCold to develop more than 5 million square feet of temperature-controlled warehouse space across North America, targeting rising demand in the food and beverage sector.

The companies said they will jointly pursue multi-temperature distribution centers, combining DHL’s logistics operations and customer network with RLCold’s design, project management and construction capabilities to deliver turnkey, food-grade cold storage facilities.

Dennis Lutwen, president of consumer at DHL Supply Chain North America, said the partnership is aimed at modernizing aging infrastructure in key markets.

“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 and beverage brands,” Lutwen said. “This effort is not simply about expanding capacity. It will close critical gaps in today’s cold-chain infrastructure and deliver smarter, technology-enabled facilities where they are needed most.”

The planned facilities will be designed to comply with the requirements of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Food Safety Modernization Act programs and will include multi-temperature zones, humidity management systems and air quality controls. Designs also call for high-clearance, high-density racking to support automated and space-efficient storage.

The companies said the buildings will incorporate airtight construction, advanced refrigeration controls and sustainable energy solutions aimed at lowering operating costs and reducing carbon emissions.

Josh Lewis, president of RLCold, said food and beverage customers are seeking higher-throughput buildings with tighter temperature controls and lower energy intensity.

“Together with DHL Supply Chain, we can deliver purpose-built, operationally optimized and flexible warehouses faster and at scale across North America,” Lewis said.

Industry demand for cold storage is being fueled by demographic shifts and the growth of online grocery and food delivery, which require strategically located, multi-node distribution networks capable of handling higher volumes while protecting product freshness.

The partnership will offer both dedicated and multi-tenant facilities, allowing customers to scale capacity seasonally and by sales channel. DHL said its information technology platforms will provide end-to-end shipment visibility, support food safety compliance and help manage fluctuating demand.

Initial sites are expected to move through design and predevelopment in 2026, with phased project deliveries tied to customer commitments and regional market demand, the companies said.

Tags: DHL Supply Chain, RLCold, U.S. Food and Drug Administration