What Constellation’s growth means for our clients

Constellation Cold Logistics is now the 2nd largest cold storage provider in Europe, and the 7th largest worldwide according to the Global Chain Alliance’s Top 25 List for 2024. That’s great news for us – but, thanks to our unique model, it’s also fantastic for our clients. 

As we continue to grow through expansion projects and strategic acquisitions, I wanted to highlight the impact that this growth is already having on our clients. In this article, three of the most important benefits that Constellation’s growth gives to the companies we work with will be explained – responsiveness, versatility, and sustainability – and how we have achieved them while continuing to expand.

Responsiveness 

Constellation has fortified its position in the market by investing in growth and expansion at the local level while simultaneously developing pan-European capability. Across our network, we combine local and international know-how. Our growth has included developing new warehouses across the continent, expanding the capacity of our existing ones, as well as acquisition and growth of existing cold storage businesses.

Rapid international growth and expansion comes with risks of an excessive corporate structure leading to bureaucracy and lack of responsiveness. At Constellation, we have built a lean corporate structure, empowering local Managing Directors and teams. This means we stay nimble and locally rooted. If a client faces a challenge, we can respond rapidly and help them quickly and effectively. 

Through this model and our continued growth, we are able to leverage the advantages of scale while retaining the adaptability of a smaller, regional player. For our clients, it’s the best of both worlds.

Versatility

As Europe’s premier independent provider of cold storage and logistics infrastructure, our network spans seven Northwest European countries, encompassing over 4 million cubic metres of modern, well-equipped facilities. Our 26 facilities are strategically situated in proximity to major production, processing and consumption centres, providing critical nodes in the global food supply chain.

With the capacity to accommodate nearly 700,000 pallets and offer a wide range of value-added services, we are indispensable partners to numerous international food producers, processors, traders, and retailers across Europe. 

As a company grows, the risk is that it will attempt to apply a “one size fits all” approach. The bedrock of our success lies in our versatility, which has allowed us to forge enduring relationships with a diverse array of clients over decades. 

Our solutions are tailored and commodity-specific. This enables us to cater to different customers and food products with different needs and priorities, earning us the trust of household names across the continent. For example, while the majority of our storage operates at frozen temperatures, we can accommodate specialised requirements, including chilled and ambient storage. 

For clients, this means that they can reap the benefits of our well-located facilities without getting a generic service. By listening carefully to our clients needs, we’re able to provide cold storage that reaps the benefits of Constellation’s growth while remaining versatile and fulfilling each individual client’s needs.

Sustainability

ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) and sustainability are woven into the fabric of Constellation’s operations. 

We are committed to striving for Net Zero emissions. To do this, we are investing heavily in energy efficiency and renewable energy sources. For example, at our Val de Meuse site in France, we invested €500k to optimise our refrigeration plant, achieving a substantial 40% energy saving.

Our continued growth is great for our sustainability in the long term, providing the consolidation and collaboration needed to make this kind of large scale but necessary change. By integrating our operators in Europe, we leverage our pan-European capabilities and share best practices, driving operational excellence, investing in decarbonisation, and fostering consistent growth at the same time.

Our focus on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles guides our decisions, as we deploy capital to fuel growth and forge enduring partnerships, all while championing the success of our customers. Our growth makes that possible, and more effective than ever. 

What’s next? 

As Constellation Cold Logistics continues our journey of growth, our clients stand to benefit immensely. Our strategic expansion through acquisitions and investments translates into an even more robust and reliable network of cold storage and logistics infrastructure.

With our increased footprint across Europe, clients can expect enhanced accessibility and efficiency in their supply chains. Our localised approach ensures that clients receive personalised attention and swift decision-making, fostering agility and responsiveness in addressing their unique needs. 

Our commitment to sustainability not only aligns with the values of conscientious clients, but also contributes to a more environmentally responsible supply chain ecosystem. By investing in energy efficiency and renewable energy sources, we not only reduce our carbon footprint but also provide clients with help in their own sustainability efforts. 

As we continue to grow, we’re confident that our clients can rely on us for innovative solutions and top-notch service delivery. Ultimately, that growth translates into added value for our clients, as we continue to evolve as their trusted partners.