Americold Files Current Report With SEC, Citing Cybersecurity Incident

Cold storage company Americold filed a Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) last week, detailing a cybersecurity incident that impacted the company's operations. 

Form 8-K is the “current report” companies must file with the SEC to announce major events that shareholders should be informed of. 

According to the filing, Americold on April 26, 2023 “began to receive evidence that its computer network was affected by a cybersecurity incident. The Company immediately implemented containment measures and took operations offline to secure its systems and reduce disruption to... 

Leading Cold Storage Company Americold Targeted by Network Breach

Americold, the world’s largest publicly traded real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on temperature-controlled warehouses and value-added services, experienced a network breach last week.

The breach is impacting Americold’s operations including inbound and outbound services at numerous facilities. Deliveries and site functionality are reportedly varying from region to region.

Americold has shut down its network while the company investigates the security breach. The company has not yet released an official statement about the event. 

The cold storage mammoth is based in Atlanta, Georgia and owns 242 temperature-controlled warehouses...

Cold Storage: End March Combined Meat/Poultry Nearly Flat on Month, +4.3% on Year

Combined meat and poultry stocks held in the nation's freezer warehouses at the end of March were reported at 2.207 billion pounds, nearly flat with the previous month but 4.3% more than a year ago, according to USDA's monthly cold storage data released Tuesday afternoon.

The combined stocks were down 3% from the five-year average of about 2.275 billion pounds.

POULTRY

Chicken stocks were reported at 854.1 million pounds, down 1.1% from last month and nearly...

Pre-Report Estimates for Mar Cold Storage Show Total Stocks 4.2% Above Year Ago

USDA will release its monthly cold storage report at 3 p.m. eastern time Tuesday. Bob Brown, a private analyst from Edmond, Oklahoma, provided his insight on what the latest report might show.

Frozen total meat and poultry stocks as of March 31^st are projected to be down slightly from the previous month. Overall supplies remain above year-ago levels. Brown predicts total meat and poultry stocks to be about 2.204 billion pounds.

Pork, beef, and chicken stocks are expected to be down versus the previous month...

Major Food Production Center & Cold Storage Facility to Open in Missouri

West Liberty Foods, a leading protein processor, is opening a new food production facility in Kansas City, Missouri, attached to a supporting cold storage facility to be developed by Vertical Cold Storage. The companies are expected to invest a combined $199.6 million and create 583 jobs in the region.

“Missouri is home to nearly 400 food companies, and we are excited to welcome West Liberty Foods and Vertical Cold Storage to our state’s robust food and agricultural network,” said Governor Mike Parson...

Pre-Report Estimates for Oct Cold Storage Show Total Stocks 13.2% Above Year Ago

USDA will release its monthly cold storage report at 3 p.m. eastern time Tuesday. Bob Brown, a private analyst from Edmond, Oklahoma, provided his insight on what the latest report might show...

Strong Ham Prices Underpin Hog/Pork Prices in the Near Term

Slaughter is down almost 5% from 2019, exports to Mexico are record high, turkey prices are record high and cold storage inventory is down double digits. Expect ham prices to remain firm through the holidays this year.

Steiner and Company produces the Profit Maximizer report on behalf of National Pork Board based on information we believe is accurate and reliable. However neither NPB nor Steiner and Company warrants or guarantees the accuracy of or accepts any liability for the data, opinions or recommendations expressed.

Highlights
- Hog futures were sharply...

Fresh Pork Prices Trend Lower and Bellies Fail to Catch Up

The highest hog slaughter since early January and the increase in supply pressured pork prices lower overall, with retail product seeing the biggest impact.

Steiner and Company produces the Profit Maximizer report on behalf of National Pork Board based on information we believe is accurate and reliable. However neither NPB nor Steiner and Company warrants or guarantees the accuracy of or accepts any liability for the data, opinions or recommendations expressed.

Highlights
- Hog slaughter last week was the highest since early January and the increase in supply pressured pork...

New Cold Storage Facility in SoCal Lands Safe Quality Foods Certification

West Coast Cold Storage, a Southern California-based food-grade warehousing service provider, attained Safe Quality Foods (SQF) certification for their new state-of-the-art facility.

The woman-owned facility boasts 124,000 Sq. Ft. of space and wrapped up the SQF auditing processing within six months of starting operations. The facility garnered a 97 out of 100 in its first audit.

The certification was administered by the Food Marketing Institute and recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), the company shared in a press release...

Performance Team to Open Cold Chain Facility in South Carolina, Adds Capacity to Move More Protein

Performance Team, a company under shipping giant Maersk, will open a cold storage facility in South Carolina that is set to begin operations in Q1 2023.

The new facility will reach 80 million consumers within one day and 225 million consumers within two days, per a Maersk press release. According to American Shipper, the facility is designed to move imports of proteins, fruits and vegetables.

The publication quoted Mike Meierkort, head of logistics and services for Maersk North America, during a groundbreaking ceremony in Charleston...

Lineage Logistics acquires Cold Storage Nelson for major expansion into New Zealand

Lineage Logistics, LLC., the world’s largest and most innovative temperature-controlled industrial REIT and logistics solutions provider, today announced it has acquired leading New Zealand cold storage business, Cold Storage Nelson Limited (“CSN”). Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

“CSN has industry-leading skills in inventory control, compliance and traceability,” Mr. Jeff Rivera, Lineage’s Global Chief Operations Officer, said. “CSN’s facilities, combined with our industry-leading technology and innovation, will assist New Zealand customers to navigate increasing supply chain demands in New Zealand and internationally..."

Latest Maersk Cold Storage Facility Set to Open in New Jersey This Fall

A cold storage facility serving both imports and exports of fish, poultry, beef, pork, fruits and vegetables will open in Dayton, New Jersey in October, Performance Team – A Maersk Company, announced on June 6.

Maersk explained that end-to-end supply chain solutions are made by the company’s Oceans services calling APM Terminals Elizabeth, New Jersey that can be integrated with Maersk Customs Services, USA Inc. customs clearance expertise and Performance Team – A Maersk Company’s 60+ warehouses and Transportation services - designed to serve storage, fulfillment...