Construction Business Review

ARCO National Construction
Beyond Construction: ARCO’s Approach to High-Performance Cold Storage

Brian Westre, ARCO National Construction | Construction Business Review | Top Cold Storage Construction CompanyBrian Westre, Vice President/Operating Partner
Cold storage construction is more than just building walls and installing refrigeration systems—it’s about creating a high-performance environment that ensures long-term reliability while integrating cutting-edge technology. A premier design-build contractor specializing in cold storage facilities, ARCO National Construction goes beyond traditional construction methods by offering industry-leading cold storage solutions tailored to exact specifications, including precise temperature control and advanced refrigeration systems.

At the core of ARCO’s philosophy is a commitment to making the construction an enjoyable and seamless experience for clients and associates alike.

“Every project is built on a foundation of collaboration, trust and expertise, ensuring that expectations are not only met but exceeded,” says Brian Westre, Vice President/Operating Partner.

A Turnkey Approach to Design and Construction

ARCO partners with clients to develop forward-thinking, cost-effective solutions that enable long-term temperature stability and facility scalability. With millions of square feet of cold storage space built annually across major markets, ARCO brings an unparalleled depth of experience to every project. Its technical expertise and problem-solving capabilities allow tackling projects of any complexity or scale. Cold storage construction presents distinct challenges, from stringent temperature control requirements to integrating specialized materials and technology. ARCO’s team of experts acts as trusted advisors, steering clients through critical design and construction decisions to develop state-of-the-art facilities. They meticulously optimize essential elements—wall types, insulation, refrigeration systems, underfloor heating, vapor barriers and temperature controls—to ensure maximum efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and long-term performance.

Through its industry-leading design-build approach, ARCO delivers turnkey solutions with streamlined, single-point responsibility, integrated design, and accelerated schedules. This ensures cost efficiency, exceptional quality and tailored outcomes that consistently exceed client expectations. Unlike traditional construction models, ARCO offers preliminary design services that empower clients to move forward with confidence, mitigating the risk of substantial upfront costs. By integrating design, construction management and capital expense control under one roof, ARCO eliminates inefficiencies and maximizes value.

  • Every project is built on a foundation of collaboration, trust and expertise, ensuring that expectations are not only met but exceeded


Delivering Excellence through Innovation and Strategic Planning

A testament to ARCO’s expertise in cold storage construction is its recent project for Cypress Cold Storage, a leading provider of temperature-controlled warehouse space and value-added services for the food industry. This cutting-edge, 207,285-square-foot facility exemplifies innovation and efficiency, featuring advanced refrigeration and freezing technology designed for flexibility and scalability. Working closely with the client, ARCO optimized the facility’s layout, reducing the overall footprint by 15,000 square feet while increasing pallet capacity—leading to significant cost savings.

One of the standout features of the facility is its blast freezing system, which incorporates in-rack freezing for 252 pallet positions. This allows products to cool from 35°F to 0°F in just 24 to 48 hours, significantly accelerating the freezing process while optimizing energy consumption. By strategically coordinating the construction and installation of this system in the early phases of the project, ARCO facilitated a streamlined building design, ensuring seamless integration. Its proactive approach and planned sequencing strategy helped avoid potential delays in the project schedule. This level of foresight and execution underscores ARCO’s commitment to delivering results that align with clients’ operational and financial objectives.

Driven by a focus on innovation, quality and customer satisfaction, ARCO continues to set new benchmarks in the cold storage construction industry. Its integrated design and construction methodology, combined with deep technical expertise, ensures that every facility is designed and built for maximum efficiency, durability and long-term success.

By choosing ARCO as their trusted partner, clients gain access to an industry leader dedicated to precision-focused cold storage solutions. Whether planning a new build, expansion or retrofit, ARCO is ready with the expertise needed to bring visions to life.