12 key warehouse temperature terms you need to understand warehouse temperature Let’s start with the basics. When we talk about temperature, we are typically talking about specific temperature ranges. Most food and pharmaceutical products have a temperature range that they must stay within at all times. The most common ranges are:
Ambient. Refers to the natural temperature of the warehouse Air conditioned. Typically refers to a temperature between 56°F and 75°F. Confectionery products are a good example of a product that must avoid hot and cold extremes Refrigerated. Typically refers to a temperature between 33°F and 55°FCold/Frozen. Typically refers to a temperature at or below 32°F Now that we have ranges covered, the following are additional temperature and climate-related food warehousing terms you’ll need to understand.
Temperature-controlled storage. A warehouse that has temperature-controlled space utilizes cooling (and/or heating) units to keep the temperature within a set range. These units are strategically placed throughout the space to ensure that the area stays in range. A variety of factors will affect the quantity and placement of cooling units, including the season of the year (i.e., more units may be needed during the summer), ceiling height, density of insulation, and warehouse building materials. Climate-controlled storage. While many people use this term interchangeably with temperature-controlled storage, there are key differences between the two. With climate-controlled storage, the humidity of the space is regulated in addition to temperature. Commercial humidifiers/de-humidifiers are used along with other equipment to ensure that humidity stays within required ranges for products.Temperature mapping. This process utilizes sensors to measure temperature in different areas of the warehouse space. Most warehouses will go through a temperature mapping process several times a year and adjust cooling or heating equipment based on the results. For example, if mapping shows that an area is too warm, the placement of cooling equipment will be adjusted. Temperature monitoring. While temperature mapping is a proactive method of ensuring optimal temperature coverage, temperature monitoring is the day-to-day observation and management of those temperatures. We partner and with external monitoring companies to track temperatures in real time and alert key personnel of any significant changes immediately. These personnel are also able to monitor real-time temperatures themselves via applications provided by the monitoring company.Racking. Palletized products stored in a 4PL warehouse can be placed directly on to the warehouse floor or stored within racking systems. Such racking allows for products to be stacked upon each other in order to conserve floor space and take up a smaller warehouse footprint. Racking is beneficial within temp-controlled space as such space is typically more expensive, and a smaller footprint results in a lower cost to the customer.Lot control. Items that have common characteristics important to the manufacturer (e.g., the same expiration date) are given a lot number by the manufacturer and/or by a 4PL warehouse management system as they are received by the warehouse. This lot number allows us to quickly identify batches of items in the event of a recall. It also enables the us to perform inventory management protocols like FIFO (first in first out; the oldest lots of items will be distributed first) and FEFO (first expired first out; the products closest to their expiration dates will be distributed first).Mock recalls. These are not real recalls but are instead “practice runs” should a real event ever be necessary. But don’t let the “practice” term fool you – we handle mock recalls just like the real thing, with full coordination among the customer, its WMS, and its own associates. Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP). These are the CFIA and FDA regulatory standards for pharmaceuticals to ensure their quality, strength and purity. They apply to drugs and their manufacturing processes as well as the warehouses that store them. CGMPs related to pharmaceutical warehousing include items related to contamination prevention, lot control, distribution processes and storage requirements.Food Safety Plan. Under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), producers of food products must create a Food Safety Plan that seeks to minimize the risk of food contamination. According to the FDA, the Plan must include a hazard analysis, preventive controls to address potential problems, and a plan for oversight and management of preventive controls. You will need to inform us of your products’ specific requirements and ensure that they can be met.
Masmot Logistics offers the most advanced technologies for monitoring humidity, temperature, and various other factors. Our controlled-storage facilities are the premier option for inventory safekeeping. Whether it’s food, ingredients, or any other perishables, we’ll make effective use of our space to ensure your inventory is always kept in optimal shape. We ensure safe storage of all products stowed away in our refrigerated warehouses, and offer blast chilling options for clients that require their products be kept at a specific temperature. And by consolidating the distribution process in our service bundle, you’ll have the advantage of lower-cost storage and shipping.
COLD AND FROZEN STORAGE
Your business has various storage needs, and some inventory must be kept frozen until it’s ready to be used. Masmot Logistics understands the importance of storing temperature-sensitive products such as frozen foods in a climate-controlled warehouse. All our storage units are clean and free of dust and pests. And we continuously monitor each one so the temperature and humidity levels never slip. Our experts can help you plan the best refrigerated warehouse option for your needs.
ACCURATE CLIMATE-CONTROLLED STORAGE
We offer a range of cold storage options within our food-grade, climate-controlled warehouses located across the country. With Masmot Logistics, you get an attentively controlled storage option that ensures high product quality. We constantly monitor the desired climate and each temperature-controlled warehouse has a backup generator ready so that there always is a source of power to protect your goods.
And because each storage solution is customizable, your environment will be fine-tuned to meet all your storage and distribution specifications. We’ll ensure that your inventory is compliant with all company and industry policies and procedures.
If you can’t store it yourself, Masmot Logistics has plenty of space you can take advantage of. We provide climate-controlled warehousing services to store and protect temperature-sensitive items. We serve a variety of unique industries, and many of these have goods that require refrigeration. Our team has the ability to customize environments based on what the products require. Our specialties include inventory management and distribution control. We serve a wide spectrum of industries with a fully integrated service, and each solution is tailored to work with your budget, business model, and delivery schedule. Not only do we make sure the optimal temperature is set for your unique products, but we also keep cold storage warehouse space organized according to its particular product type. Count on our team to support you with an optimum temperature setting ranging anywhere from –20 to 32°F.
The best part is that you have the advantage of being able to house all these services in a single location. We help our clients save money by consolidating all warehousing and distribution needs from any of our warehouses.
This climate-controlled facility is a multi-zoned setting, which makes it possible for us to accommodate any temperature-sensitive products, including:
Ice cream Meat GMP food grade products Candy Pick & pack—temperature controlled Refrigerated products Medication Diary Products Frozen Bakery Products Fresh and Frozen Juices.
CUSTOMIZED WAREHOUSE STORAGE
Our temperature-controlled warehouse offers a host of advantages for your temperature-sensitive products. This facility is customized with several levels of temperature control, which allows us to store multiple types of food, ingredients, and more. Not only do we make sure the optimal temperature is set for your unique products, but we also keep warehouse stock organized according to its particular product type. Count on our team to support you with an optimum temperature setting ranging anywhere from –20 to 32°F.
