CLEVELAND — For years, Orlando Baking Company has shipped its breads and rolls, baked in Cleveland, south to Columbus. About 12 trucks a day. Why? For available cold storage space, it couldn’t find here in Northeast, Ohio. But that is about to change as Cleveland Cold Storage, a frozen food distribution center prepares to open.
“Now, we could bring the product back up here, bring more jobs back to the city of Cleveland, and continue to grow our business,” states the President of Orlando Baking Company, John Orlando.
Orlando has waited decades for a development like this. And was instrumental in working with the city to get the facility built on the Opportunity Corridor, right across from the bakery.
“It gives a great connection between the east side and west side of Cleveland, and we're happy to be right on the boulevard on both sides of the street now,” said Orlando.
The state-of-the-art facility comes with over 150,000 square feet of storage, at a frosty negative 10 degrees. With an opening date of early next year, well over half of the space is already claimed. Putting expansion plans in motion, even before the light goes on.
“This will operate probably close to 12 hours a day, six days a week. Could be more depending on customer requirements,” said Nick Pacitti with Cleveland Cold Storage.
Shipping nationwide, they’ll get creative, putting multiple clients on the same truck.
“We can bring in multiple customers and help them consolidate their products into shipments. That will go with other company’s shipments to shipping points across the country,” explained Pacitti.
“Using Cleveland cold storage here is going to save us money right out of the gates,” said Eric Smith, the Chief Commercial Officer for Arlington Valley Farms.
Arlington Valley Farms, out of Hudson, is excited to be a client. They feed millions of school kids with their frozen handheld waffles and stuffed sandwiches. They too currently ship to Columbus for storage.
“You can create great products, and get great customers. But if it's a fortune to move it around the country, then you're kind of upside down,” said Smith. “And so, this type of infrastructure is absolutely critical.”
“This facility is very timely,” said International Food Solutions Co-President and Founder, Lincoln Yee. “Now my facility will come on the heels of when this turns on.”
International Food Solutions plans to build a $100 million frozen food processing plant, just over a mile away from Cleveland Cold Storage. They make Asian, Latin, and Indian food for schools, the military and restaurant chains nationwide.
“Do you really want food to travel more distance, so you pay more at the grocery store? Probably not,” said Yee. “So, for us, it is a matter of economics. And so economically this is good for me, it's good for Cleveland. It's good for people.”
Cleveland Cold Storage is focused on solving clients’ current problems and giving them the confidence to introduce new products to the market.
“As we continue to grow, we need the infrastructure to grow with us, especially locally here, and do that in a better, smarter, faster way,” said Smith.
Arlington Valley Farms tells 3News they will launch a third food product sometime next year.
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