New joint venture provides customers and family-owned cold storage companies with entrepreneur-led platform.
RLS Logistics, a third-generation cold chain solutions provider in the U.S., recently created a joint venture that will offer customers the ability to work with regional family-run cold storage providers on a national basis. The cornerstone of the plan is to partner with existing best-in-class operators in ten to twelve megaregions of the U.S., as well as Eastern and Western Canada. These operators, referred to as Partnering Regional Operators (PROs), will maintain significant equity in their respective regions and will continue to oversee operations, customer relationships, and team member development. As RLS builds out this network, food manufacturers will be able to expand into new markets with the benefit of trusted relationships, hands-on involvement, and the commitment of a family-run company.
Small- and medium-sized manufacturers of frozen and refrigerated foods will now have an entrepreneur-led alternative to the larger and more bureaucratic providers. "Food producers who are used to dealing directly with the owner of the business will be able to continue that tradition. Customer relationships and customized solutions are at the foundation of our business model, and we believe keeping key business decisions local will speed our responsiveness and differentiate our offering," explains Tony Leo, CEO of RLS Logistics, Warehousing Group.