Issue link: https://jocdigital.uberflip.com/i/1467574
16 The Journal of Commerce | May 23 2022 www.joc.com PHILADELPHA TRADE & LOGISTICS FIRST CHOICE FREEZER & Cold Storage is dedicated to handling, blast freezing, storing, and transporting your inventory in a modern, temperature-controlled warehouse, using the safest and most efficient means. Our team's mission, backed by state-of-the- art equipment, is to provide you with excellence and complete customer satisfaction. First Choice and its sister company, M&O, are both located in Vineland, New Jersey, convenient to the Port of Philadelphia. Together, they provide a unique advantage — a large volume of storage space within proximity to major cities on the East Coast. First Choice (396 N Mill Road) This facility was purchased in 2001, with major renovations and expansions completed in 2007, 2014, and 2017. It now offers over 300,000 square feet of storage. In 2020, the entire building was refaced and the wall panels replaced for better climate control and aesthetics. M&O (1200 N Mill Road) This facility was built in 2018 and opened in January 2019. Its first addition was opened in January 2020. The second was completed in October of 2021. The third addition is scheduled to open in Q3 of 2022 for a total offering of 400,000 square feet of storage. Our facilities utilize the latest in cutting-edge inventory management, providing integrated supply chain execution capabilities and efficiencies in distribution, fulfillment, and public refrigerated warehouse operations that are second to none. RF- driven capabilities allow real-time tracking and reporting, minimizing cost while increasing productivity. We also operate a dedicated fleet of refrigerated and dry trucks that run shuttle services daily to points between customer locations. We are members of the Global Cold Chain Alliance, adhering to its best practices and industry standards for safety. We are regularly inspected by the FDA, USDA, and third-party entities to ensure we meet the strictest food safety standards. We have a certified HACCP plan in place for every critical control point of our operation. First Choice Freezer & Cold Storage and M&O Freezer & Cold Storage are both owned and operated by The Levari Group, LLC, a family business that has experienced significant growth since it was formed in 2001. Representing over three generations of expertise in the agriculture transportation and warehousing industry, First Choice Freezer & Cold Storage is your choice. Our name says it all on Philadelphia's marine terminals, East Coast Warehouse serves only those that are comfortably moved off site. "We just renewed our agreement with US Customs for another five years. We're excited about that and about continuing to expand our presence in the greater Philadelphia area," Daly said. The approximately 50,000-square-foot East Coast Warehouse facility is the only off- port CES serving PhilaPort. It includes about 20,000 square feet for short-term storage and similar work. In the business of customs exams, getting the work done in a timely fashion is the goal, one that is a stretch for many terminals and markets, Daly said. Because the space on any marine terminal is key real estate, there has been a trend toward relocating CES inspections to an off-site location. Daly appreciates the efficient flow of cargo through Philadelphia. Compared with other ports, it is trouble-free, he said. While currently focused on customs exams in Philadelphia, the company sees potential for business expansion, based on its vast corporate expertise in multi- temperature drayage and handling. East Coast Warehouse's soon-to-be-launched CES space in Baltimore already has public warehouse space available for business expansion. "We are on a growth trajectory, looking for opportunities up and down the East Coast," Daly said. East Coast Warehouse's experience in various verticals, such as candy and confectionery and beer, wine, and spirits, have played a great role in the company's success. "The business is about being responsive when the freight is available, moving it to our facility and in front of Customs quickly, getting it through the Customs process, and making it available to the customer as soon as possible," he said. Those straightforward steps, taken in a timely manner, make all the difference in the import of a perishable shipment. "For us, every day, it is about being creative and finding solutions to help customers and mitigate unplanned problems. We have no volume commitments, no guarantees. It all depends on what is going on around the world and what Customs must stop and inspect. We are a partner, a service provider," Daly said. Having sufficient capacity, workforce, and flexibility are critical. Manfredi Cold Storage & Distribution's two facilities offer services for fruits and vegetables coming up the Delaware. The company drays, stores, packages, and distributes products. Its 425,000-square-foot Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, facility can accommodate 28,000 pallets. Its Pedricktown, New Jersey, location in Oldmans Township opened in 2021 with 100,000 square feet that will eventually be expanded to 600,000 square feet. When the New Jersey site opened, "the response was overwhelming," CEO Frank Manfredi said. "That allowed us to start an Philadelphia's established reefer cargo cluster has spawned an extended ecosystem of supplier companies that help make it competitive, flexible, and agile. SPECIAL ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT