FreezPak co-CEO Mike Saoud made it clear during the ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday morning: The 140,000-square-foot freezer warehouse the company was opening on the border of Newark and Elizabeth with co-developers Elberon Development Group and Fidelco Group is more than just another cold storage facility.
“FreezPak Elizabeth has propelled us to the next level of sustainable warehousing,” Saoud said. “Between the height of the building, automation and fuel cell fueling capabilities, we have positioned FreezPak to accommodate the ever-increasing need for cold storage space.
“We thank our co-developers, Elberon and Fidelco, for believing in us and giving us full range with development.”
With 10.5 million cubic feet of cold storage space located at the corner of Newark Avenue and Virginia Street, the state-of-the-art facility offers 30,000 pallet positions and 18 docks.
In addition to storage and retrieval, repacking and overseas container plug-in, FreezPak’s fifth New Jersey location also will provide on-site USDA, FDA and Food Safety and Inspection Service inspections.
These are just some of the reasons the facility recently was named Industrial Deal of the Year by NAIOP-New Jersey.
“This is a crucial time for modernization, and our commitment to it is more resolute than ever. FreezPak Elizabeth will be our flagship facility,” Saoud said. “We are excited to see our vision come to realization in our newest location.”
Elberon President Dave Gibbons shared the sentiments.
“The quality and sophistication of this cold storage facility will help reestablish the industrial prominence of a site that has been abandoned for many years,” he said. “The ownership team was proud to work alongside both Elizabeth and Newark to advance the revitalization of the surrounding area that touches both great cities.”
Elizabeth Mayor Christian Bollwage said the facility will have great impact.
“Set in a key location in the city — next to the seaport, major highways and the airport — this wonderful new facility is a great addition to our community. It helps with our commitment in creating new jobs and opportunities for our residents, all while increasing services and meeting the distribution needs and demands.”
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka agreed.
“Despite the challenges Newark has faced due to COVID-19, we continue to build a strong economy, with jobs and career opportunities for our residents in diverse fields, and revitalize neighborhoods,” he said.
“FreezPak will energize development and growth in this area and our entire city. I congratulate Marc Berson and the Elberon Development Group for bringing this transformative project to Newark and Elizabeth.”
Pigment and dye manufacturer Magruder Color had previously occupied the property, but moved out of Newark in 2006. The property had been unoccupied for more than a decade when the project group decided to establish a presence that could jumpstart the revitalization of a mostly abandoned commercial/industrial area.
Berson, chairman of Fidelco Group, called the facility a transformative project.
“This exciting new facility will serve as an anchor development project for the area,” he said. “Wherever FreezPak establishes itself, it creates jobs and attracts other industries and development, goals that Fidelco also holds dear. This project will breathe new life into a corner shared by two great cities.”
