Infrastructure is a key element of food banking. Cold chain facilities, in particular, enable food banks to receive donations of refrigerated and frozen products while extending the shelf life of fruits and vegetables. However, this infrastructure is costly, and its proper management requires technical expertise.

Through this partnership, Emergent Cold will support food banks with initiatives such as free refrigerated and freezer space at their facilities; host technical visits to cold chain facilities; develop improvement projects at food bank warehouses; and donate high-quality, second-hand equipment like forklifts and racks. Emergent Cold employees will also volunteer at GFN member food banks.

Emergent Cold’s support will be available to GFN member food banks in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay.

“The most common product people receive from food banks across our network is fresh fruits and vegetables, but this nutritious food is highly perishable and adds additional logistical challenges for food banks,” says Lisa Moon, president and CEO of The Global FoodBanking Network. “Through this partnership with Emergent Cold, our food bank members in Latin America will be able to improve their cold chain operations and have expanded access to refrigerated and freezer spaces that will allow them to recover and distribute even more perishable, nutritious foods like fruits, vegetables, and dairy.”

The purpose of Emergent Cold LatAm is to help reduce food waste in Latin America by transforming the region’s cold chain, and this partnership with The Global FoodBanking Network is directly aligned with that mission, said Neal Rider, CEO of Emergent Cold LatAm. “We recognize the importance of the work carried out by food banks and are truly excited to be part of this impactful social effort.”

“I have been following the work of food banks for some time and am a strong advocate for initiatives that strengthen and expand the positive impact of these organizations,” said Rafael Rocha, Commercial Vice President of Emergent Cold LatAm. “Eleven years ago, I was involved in the creation of the Panama Food Bank, where I continue to serve on the board, and I am pleased to see our company’s partnership extended to other peers in all the countries where we operate.”

The Global FoodBanking Network supports community-led food banks in 51 countries, addressing both hunger and the climate crisis at the same time. By rescuing surplus nutritious food and redistributing it to families in need, GFN improves food security, reduces food waste and emissions, and strengthens community resilience. Last year, GFN member food banks fed more than 38 million people. By 2030, GFN aims to feed more than 50 million per year.

Emergent Cold LatAm, the largest provider of temperature-controlled food storage and logistics solutions in Latin America, announced today that it has completed the acquisition of a distribution warehouse in the Lurín district of Lima, Peru.

The acquired facility has more than 29,000 square meters of built area. It is partially occupied by Frialsa Peru, which Emergent Cold LatAm purchased earlier this year. The remaining area of the facility is leased to blue-chip food distribution companies.

This latest acquisition is part of the Company’s ambitious infrastructure investment strategy in Peru. Currently, Emergent Cold LatAm owns and operates four facilities in the country, totaling more than 635,000 cubic meters of capacity and 51,500 pallet positions. These units support both port activities and domestic food distribution in the market, complimented by the Company’s transportation offerings.

“The agricultural production and food exports in Peru have been showing strong and consistent growth, as well as domestic consumption,” said Joaquin Del Campo, Managing Director for the Pacific region at Emergent Cold LatAm. “These trends support our continued investment in the country’s logistics network to support the growth of our customers.”

44 Capital Finanças Corporativas acted as financial advisor and Rebaza, Alcázar & De Las Cases acted as legal advisor to Emergent LatAm.

Emergent Cold LatAm or the Company), the largest provider of temperature-controlled food storage and logistics solutions in Latin America, announced today the acquisition of Friobox, one of the leading cold storage businesses in the Dominican Republic.

Founded in 2021 by Antonio Azzariti, Frank Maiweg and Thomas Pollehne, Friobox operates a 12,000-pallet position facility in the Northwest section of Santo Domingo, the country’s capital city. The company provides a range of storage and logistics services, including cross-docking and inventory management. The Friobox team, led by Antonio, has joined Emergent Cold LatAm and will continue to manage the business.

As part of this investment, Emergent Cold LatAm will immediately begin work on a new 7,200-pallet expansion of the Friobox facility. Once completed, the site will offer 19,200 pallet positions, capitalizing on the company’s strong performance and diversified customer base. The target opening of this expansion is January 2027.

This is Emergent Cold LatAm’s second investment in the Dominican Republic. In 2023, the Company opened a greenfield project located within the Free Zone Park in the Caucedo Port and logistics complex in eastern Santo Domingo. Following completion of the planned Friobox expansion, the Company’s temperature-controlled food storage capacity in the country will exceed 27,000 pallet positions.

“We first met the Friobox team four years ago, before the facility was open,” said Neal Rider, CEO of Emergent Cold LatAm. “It’s great to see the successful realization of their vision, and I’m very happy for Friobox to join our growing Latin America network.”

“The Dominican Republic is an important market for us,” added Alain Eichmann, Managing Director for the Caribbean Region. “Besides the strong domestic economic trends, the island is a central logistics and export hub in the Caribbean. We will continue to grow with our customers and invest in the country.”

44 Capital Finanças Corporativas acted as financial advisor and Pellerano Nadal Law & Consulting acted as legal advisor to Emergent LatAm.

Emergent Cold LatAm, the largest provider of temperature-controlled food storage and logistics solutions in Latin America, announced today the completion of its acquisition of Comfrio, a national cold storage platform in Brazil. With this transaction, the Company operates 37 facilities in 12 states, totaling 4 million cubic meters of capacity, 610,000 pallet positions and 3,500 employees.

Comfrio is a leading provider of integrated logistics solutions in Brazil with a focus on domestic distribution and last mile transportation. The company has an excellent reputation for customer service, as demonstrated by long-term relationships with Brazil’s largest food producers and distributors. Comfrio is also the market leader in the grain and seeds storage segment.

“Comfrio’s platform is an excellent complement to our own in Brazil,” said David Palfenier, President of Emergent Cold LatAm. “The combination of Comfrio’s domestic business with the global trade capabilities of Emergent Cold LatAm means we can now offer truly differentiated logistics solutions for customers. This transaction also expands our network coverage into important new markets like Minas Gerais and Ceará.”

“This is an exciting moment for both companies and our industry,” added Evandro Calanca, Managing Director of South Cone for Emergent Cold LatAm. “Comfrio’s entrepreneurial spirit and service focus align well with our own culture. Together we will deliver incredible value to our combined customers. I’m very pleased to welcome Comfrio’s team to Emergent Cold LatAm.”    

44 Capital Finanças Corporativas acted as financial advisor to Emergent Cold LatAm. Bronstein, Zilberberg, Chueiri & Potenza Advogados and Lefosse Advogados acted as legal advisors to Emergent Cold LatAm.

Emergent Cold LatAm, the largest provider of temperature-controlled food storage and logistics solutions in Latin America, announced today the successful completion of a new US$ 250 million term loan credit facility. The Company intends to use net proceeds from this loan to fund upcoming acquisitions and development projects.

The term loan will be provided by a syndicate of investors led by CPPIB Credit Investments Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (“CPP Investments”).

“The completion of this financing strengthens our investment capabilities going forward and supports the implementation of our ambitious strategic plan,” said Pedro Moreira, Chief Financial Officer of Emergent Cold LatAm. “We look forward to our new partnership with CPP Investments and the other members of our term loan syndicate.”

Deutsche Bank AG served as sole arranger of the financing transaction. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP represented Emergent Cold LatAm.

Emergent Cold LatAm, one of the largest providers of temperature-controlled food storage and logistics solutions in Latin America, announced today the acquisition of Frialsa Peru, a leading food storage and distribution joint venture with Grupo Wiese located in the Lima region.  

Frialsa operates two modern cold storage facilities in the Lima area. One is located in Callao nearby the city’s primary port terminal, and the other is south of the capital, in Lurin. Combined with Emergent Cold LatAm’s own recently opened warehouse within the DP World container depot in Callao, the Company now operates more than 260,000 cubic meters of storage capacity and approximately 33,000 pallet positions in one of the most populous urban areas in Latin America, and over 40,000 pallets in Peru considering its existing Piura site to serve northern Peru and the Port of Paita. The acquisition of Frialsa Peru also adds blast freezing and transportation capabilities to Emergent Cold LatAm’s local service offerings.   

As part of this transaction, Lars Reyes – previously General Manager at Frialsa – joins Emergent Cold LatAm as its new Country Manager for Peru. Lars and his team enjoy strong relationships with customers, driven by a focus on service quality and the strategic location of Frialsa’s facilities.  

“Peru is an important part of our regional investment strategy,” said David Palfenier, President of Emergent Cold LatAm. “We always viewed Frialsa’s Peru operations as an ideal fit for our network due to the quality of its facilities, the complementary customer base and the strong management team led by Lars. I’m very pleased to welcome Lars and the Frialsa Peru team to Emergent Cold LatAm. I also want to thank Gonzalo de la Puente and Grupo Wiese for their invaluable contributions in making this transaction a success.”

“This acquisition substantially improves our network coverage and offerings in Lima,” added Joaquin del Campo, Managing Director for the Pacific region. “With this additional storage capacity and service capabilities, we are now uniquely positioned to support the logistics needs of our customers.”  

44 Capital Finanças Corporativas acted as financial advisor and Rebaza, Alcázar & De Las Cases acted as legal advisor to Emergent LatAm.

However, as operations are digitalized, the risks security also increase. In this context, cybersecurity is a fundamental pillar to ensure operational continuity, to protect the client’s data and to maintain the integrity of the cold chain.

Why is cybersecurity fundamental in refrigerated logistics?

A cyber attack implies not only a violation of data, but may interrupt critical operations, affecting sensitive stocks and lead to significant economic losses. 

In the temperature-controlled logistics, an interruption to the systems may mean the loss of perishable products, contractual breach and damage to reputation.

Protecting the digital infrastructure and the operational data is essential to avoid cyber threats compromise the continuity of the supply chain and the quality of the foods warehoused or transported.

Artificial intelligence: allied in cyber defense

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a key tool to strengthening digital security in logistics. Thanks to its capacity for analysis in real time, AI enables:

• Detecting threats proactively, identifying anomalous patterns in the systems.
• Automating response to incidents, accelerating containment and mitigation.
• Optimizing security of information technology environments and operational technology, guaranteeing the protection does not compromise operational efficiency.

These capacities enable the organizations to respond quickly to threats, without interrupting the logistics processes.

Principal cyber threats in the logistics industry

The logistics sector faces specific risks which can compromise both the technological infrastructure and the continuity of operations. Among the principal cybersecurity risks are:

• Ransomware attacks which block critical systems and demand payment to recover access.
• Data theft especially sensitive in B2B operations with information on clients and products.
• Unauthorized access to stock or transport management platforms.
• Digital sabotage which can paralyze fleets, cold storage, tracking or monitoring systems.

Strategies and measures to guarantee security of the data

To mitigate these risks, integrated security measures have been implemented which protect both the infrastructure and the sensitive data of the clients, including:

• Perimeter security and constant monitoring of accesses.
• Advanced antivirus and protection against malware.
• Prevention of phishing by means of smart filters and simulations.
• Multifactor authentication (MFA) to reinforce secure access to systems.
• Awareness campaigns and internal training.
• Access and privilege management, reducing unnecessary exposure of data.

We have the best tools on the market to mitigate risks and to close cybersecurity breaches. Besides this, we continue to implement new solutions to strengthen our environment even more.

This type of measure is especially important on stock management platforms, client portals and temperature control or tracking tools.

Monitoring in real time: detection and response before impact

One of the big differentials of a modern cybersecurity strategy is the monitoring of threats in real time. This practice enables:

• Detection of cyber attacks in the initial stages.
• Analysis of its behavior and scope.
• Mitigation of its impact before affecting the operational systems or the client’s data.

Thanks to this capacity of forecasting, it is possible to preserve the integrity of the cold chain, avoiding interruptions in critical processes such as warehousing, transport or distribution.

Impact of a cyber attack on the supply chain

A cyber attack in logistics may have grave consequences:

• Halting operations due to the dropping of systems.
• Loss of products due to interruptions to cold storage or delivery routes.
• Delays and losses in attending to the client.
• Loss of trust and damage to reputation.

To minimize these risks, it is essential to have incident response plans, as well as operational continuity and disaster recovery strategies which ensure that, given any eventuality, the operation can be maintained or reestablished quickly.

Data encryption: protection against unauthorized access

The encryption of sensitive data is a fundamental practice to protecting the confidentiality of the information. This mechanism guarantees that, even if the data is intercepted, they cannot be read or used by unauthorized agents.

Encryption also allows security and privacy standards to be met, protecting both the client’s data and those of the company itself.

Continuous training: the key to avoid social engineering attacks

The human factor continues to be one of the principal gateways for cyber attacks. Thus, an organizational culture addressing cybersecurity is essential, implementing the following:

• Internal awareness programs
• Simulations of phishing attacks
• Continuous training on good digital practices 

These actions reinforce prevention, staff training and reduce the risks associated with human error or social engineering.

Security as added value for clients

The investment in cybersecurity not only protects the company, but generates direct value for the clients, by offering:

• Robust digital infrastructure with world-class suppliers, such as Fortinet and Telefonica Tech.
• Detection and response in real time technology.
• Encryption protocols, multifactor authentication and access control.
• Compliance with international data protection standards.
• Guarantee of operational continuity and availability of services.

This proactive approach not only strengthens the relationship with the clients, but also becomes an important competitive differential.

Conclusion

In a sector where quality and operational continuity are essential, cybersecurity becomes a strategic component. 

Protecting the data, guaranteeing the integrity of the systems and foreseeing the digital threats are essential to modern, secure and resilient temperature-controlled logistics.

Investing in protection technologies, internal education and constant monitoring ensures not only compliance with standards, but also strengthens the trust of clients and protects the heart of the supply chain.

Emergent Cold LatAm, one of the largest providers of temperature-controlled food storage and logistics solutions in Latin America, announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Comfrio, currently controlled by a private equity fund managed by Aqua Capital. The transaction is subject to customary and regulatory closing conditions.

Acquired in August 2023 by Aqua Capital’s third fund, in partnership with the company’s management team, Comfrio has a history of nearly 30 years and is one of the leading temperature-controlled food logistics companies in Brazil. Its portfolio includes 24 sites and about 420,000 pallet positions, representing more than two million cubic meters of total storage capacity. The transaction involves the acquisition of Comfrio, except for its food service unit, which will remain under the control of Aqua Capital. 

“The acquisition of Comfrio is an important step forward in our Brazil growth strategy,” said Evandro Calanca, Managing Director of South Cone for Emergent Cold LatAm. “This transaction diversifies our overall business profile by adding domestic distribution to complement our existing export operations. In addition, the business combination expands our overall customer base while strengthening our relationships with key customers. I see many compelling synergy opportunities to explore as we integrate the two companies. We are excited to welcome the Comfrio team to Emergent Cold LatAm.”

Upon closing, Emergent Cold LatAm’s Brazil portfolio, including leased and managed sites, will consist of 38 facilities and approximately 2.9 million temperature-controlled cubic meters of storage. This transaction expands the Company’s strategic footprint to a total of 12 States throughout Brazil, including a new presence in Minas Gerais and Ceará.

44 Capital Finanças Corporativas acted as financial advisor to Emergent Cold LatAm. Bronstein, Zilberberg, Chueiri & Potenza Advogados and Lefosse Advogados acted as legal advisors to Emergent Cold LatAm.

Itaú BBA acted as financial advisor to Comfrio. The law firm Candido Martins Cukier provided legal counsel to Comfrio.

The implementation of an exclusive portal for clients becomes an essential competitive advantage for companies seeking efficiency, transparency and better relationships with their clients. 

This type of platform transforms the way clients interact with their logistics providers, offering autonomy, visibility in real time and a more agile and secure experience.

Centralization of information: a single point of contact

One of the main benefits of having a client’s portal is the centralization of information. Instead of depending on multiple channels to manage orders, respond to doubts or to access reports, clients can find everything they need on a single platform.

This centralization allows immediate access to stock levels, to order requests through templates and to historical data. Besides speeding up the processes, this integration in a single digital environment reduces the risk of errors, eliminates redundancies and significantly improves the client experience.

Visibility in real time: essential for transparent logistics

Access in real time to critical data is one of the pillars of an efficient portal. In the refrigerated foods sector where deadlines and the conditions of conservation are fundamental, this visibility allows immediate decision making when faced with any unforeseen circumstance. 

With the portal, clients can monitor their products, accompany their orders and access information that previously depended exclusively on contact with the supplier. This transparency not only strengthens trust, but also improves operational efficiency and coordination between both parties.

Reduction of operational errors: fewer manual tasks, more reliability

One of the greatest challenges facing traditional logistics is the high volume of manual tasks, such as entering orders, validation of documents and exchange of e-mails with multiple versions of files. The client’s portal automates these tasks, minimizing human error and improving the reliability of the data.

By integrating the systems of the client directly with the platform, the requests and queries are processed in a standardized way, which reduces operational costs, avoids reworking and improves response time.

Improved strategic decision making

Having reliable information available online enables clients to be able to plan their supply chain better. With reports and data in real time, companies can adjust their stock strategies, optimize the frequency of orders and foresee changes in demand.

Intelligence in decision making is fundamental in a sector such as refrigerated foods, where the margins of error must be minimal and the times precise.

Information security: maximum priority

One crucial aspect to any client’s portal is the security of the data. The platform is hosted on world-class cloud services, with all the necessary perimeter security measures, frequent sweeps, constant updates and robust user authentication protocols.

These measures guarantee that the client’s critical information is protected against unauthorized access and cyber threats, in accordance with international data protection standards.

More fluid communication between company and client

The portal does not just work as an operational tool, but also improves communication between the logistics company and their clients. By means of notifications, automatic updates and self-service functionality, the need for multiple e-mails, connections and unnecessary validations is avoided.

This ends up with more direct, clear and efficient communication, strengthening the business relationship and enabling incidents to be resolved quickly.

Efficient stocks and order management

One of the most sensitive points of the cold chain is the precise management of the stock levels. With the portal, clients can immediately identify any discrepancy, take corrective action and adjust their supply flow.

Digitalization of the inventory in real time enables greater synchronization between the volumes warehoused and the needs of the market, reducing losses and optimizing the turnover of the products.

Digitalization of processes: efficiency, sustainability and agility

The impact of digitalization of logistics processes is not limited to efficiency. The portal also contributes to a more sustainable operation by reducing the use of paper and eliminating unnecessary physical processes.

Furthermore, by automating repetitive tasks, the operational team can concentrate on activities of higher added value, such as personalized service, continuous improvement and innovation in the services.

Emergent Cold Customer Portal: Efficient and Innovative

Emergent Cold LatAm currently offers customer portals in various countries where it operates. To standardize and elevate this experience to a new level, the company is working on a unification project to launch a single, unified portal.

Information available in phase 1 of the portal

In its first phase of implementation, the portal already offers key functionality such as: 

• Up to date query of stock levels
• Order requests by template
• Access to basic reports

This allows clients to have the essential tools for fast, effective logistics management. By the fourth quarter of the year, new features are expected to be incorporated such as financial documents, advanced reports and more self-service options.

Innovative features on the horizon

Phase 2 of the portal will bring advanced features that will make the difference in relation to other portals in the sector. Among the highlights are: 

• Online scheduling for withdrawals and deliveries
• Self-services features based on artificial intelligence
• Automatic generation of customized reports
• Integration with interactive dashboards

These innovations will enable clients to have even more control over their operations, facilitating ever smarter and predictive logistics.

The future of temperature-controlled logistics is digital

The logistics sector is undergoing a transformation, and those who adopt digital tools such as a client’s portal will be better placed to compete in an ever more demanding market.

In temperature-controlled food logistics where each minute counts, using a platform offering autonomy, visibility and reliability is a real strategic advantage.

Conclusion

A client’s portal is not just a technological tool: it is a catalyzer of efficiency, transparency and added value.

In an environment where data are a new strategic asset, offering clients direct access to their operations is to bet on more modern logistics, connected and competitive.

In collaboration with Jimmy Espinosa, IT Director LatAm

Emergent Cold LatAm is accelerating the rollout of modern cold chain infrastructure across the region. The company continues to lead temperature-controlled food storage growth in Latin America.

That leadership position was recently reaffirmed by the Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA). In its latest annual ranking, GCCA named Emergent Cold LatAm the largest cold storage company in Latin America and the Caribbean for the third year in a row. As of December 2024, the company’s cold storage capacity reached nearly 5.1 million cubic meters (179 million cubic feet).

Since its founding in 2021, Emergent Cold LatAm has opened eight new facilities, adding 165,000 pallet positions. These facilities are located in Brazil, Chile, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Peru, and Uruguay. The company also expanded five sites in Chile, Colombia, Guatemala, and Mexico.

Seven additional projects are currently underway—two new facilities and five expansions. These will add 71,000 more pallet positions and further strengthen the company’s infrastructure in Chile, Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, and Uruguay.

All facilities are built to high construction standards, including EDGE Advanced certification. This requires more efficiency in water usage, energy consumption, and a reduction in carbon emissions during the production of construction materials used in the buildings. A dedicated team of engineers and project managers leads each project, ensuring quality and consistency across the network.

“Our focus on innovative and sustainable construction allows Emergent Cold LatAm to deliver superior solutions and service levels for our customers, while also minimizing our environmental impact,” said Adam Rushby, Senior Vice President of Network Optimization. “We take great pride in the positive impacts our company brings to the communities we serve. This is part of our value system and will guide our ongoing investment strategy.”