How Constellation is Strengthening the Cold Chain in the UK and Ireland – Thomas Hughes, UK & Ireland Managing Director

As demand for cold storage in the UK and Ireland surges, adaptability and reliability are key. At Constellation Cold Logistics, growth isn’t about size – it’s about service. Every investment Constellation has made enhances flexibility, resilience, and customer-focused solutions.

Over the past year, we’ve expanded significantly, adding 40,000 pallet positions in Dublin and Cork through our acquisition of CGI Coldstores. Major projects in Grimsby and Wolverhampton are further strengthening our network, ensuring we meet evolving customer needs with tailored, high-quality cold chain solutions.

In this article, we break down how Constellation is expanding and acquiring sites in the UK and Ireland, adding further value to their services, and creating a more flexible, resilient cold chain as a result. 

From capacity to sustainability, we listen to our customers

Our investment in expansion is driven by one priority: providing the best possible service for our customers. 

This ranges from delivering conventional cold storage at high volumes to providing bespoke value-added services such as blast freezing and tempering. Alongside this, in the UK and Ireland our transportation business ensures our customers have an integrated cold storage and logistics solution.

Our Grimsby site, a critical hub for seafood storage, is undergoing a 49,000-pallet expansion. As well as addressing increasing demand, the Grimsby facility holds MSC certification, a direct response to customer requests for eco-friendly storage options. 

Recognising the importance of this standard, we are now in the process of obtaining MSC certification for our Irish cold storage sites as well. In the long term, this will enable us to provide sustainable cold storage solutions across the region, based on customer demand. 

Ensuring continuity as we integrate local knowledge into our network

Our acquisition of CGI Coldstores has expanded our Irish operations, adding high-quality cold storage in Dublin and Cork. This growth strengthens our ability to serve businesses across multiple sectors with greater flexibility and scale.

We add further value to the already high-quality cold storage assets we acquire. Constellation’s investment ensures long-term stability – upgrading infrastructure, technology, and our value added services to future-proof our sites for our customers. 

To ensure a seamless transition, we retained CGI’s previous owner for a set period, providing stability for customers and valuable insights for integration. This approach allows us to refine and professionalise operations while maintaining CGI’s high service standards and local expertise.

By prioritising transparency, retaining experienced leadership, and sharing our learnings throughout our network, we build on existing strengths, ensuring an even better customer experience.  

Creating a more flexible, nimble network 

Constellation responds quickly to customer needs because our bureaucracy doesn’t slow us down. Our decentralised structure gives local management the autonomy to make quick decisions based on local expertise – which is essential in an industry where supply chain disruptions, regulations, and demand can fluctuate. 

Our recent UK and Ireland investments reflect this approach. By empowering local teams while integrating pan-European expertise, we ensure each facility can scale rapidly and offer tailored solutions.

Few in our industry combine deep local knowledge with the resources of a major European network. This synergy allows us to improve technology, processes, and service standards – often driven by specific customer requests that shape our most innovative solutions.

Building a more resilient cold chain for our customers

As our network grows across the UK, Ireland, and Europe as a whole, our service improves. From bonded warehousing to blast freezing and tempering, we are continuously evolving to meet customer needs.

Our expansion reinforces our position as a stable, long-term partner in an unpredictable market. By investing in quality infrastructure and cutting-edge technology, we ensure Constellation is a reliable choice for years to come.

In 2025, Constellation remains committed to strategic growth that improves service quality and operational excellence. Our developments and acquisitions in the UK and Ireland are just the start. As demand for cold storage rises, we’ll continue investing in solutions that prioritise reliability, flexibility, and sustainability.

For Constellation, growth is a means to deliver outstanding service. Our commitment to our customers’ success drives us to set the standard for cold logistics across Europe.

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