Plug Power, a leading provider of turnkey hydrogen solutions for the global green hydrogen economy, announced Wednesday an agreement with Carteret-based FreezPak Logistics, a leading third-party food logistics company, to provide fuel cells and hydrogen storage and fueling infrastructure to nine additional sites and nearly 400 lift trucks.
The multisite agreement makes FreezPak Logistics, a Plug customer since 2014, a pedestal customer — joining other leading companies, such as Amazon, Walmart and Home Depot.
The agreement includes providing hydrogen infrastructure and fuel cells for lift trucks at four existing FreezPak Logistics sites, along with five additional sites scheduled for 2023. In total, Plug will support 11 customer sites across the U.S., including the three sites already in operation.
“FreezPak continually strives for ways to be more efficient, sustainable and increase productivity,” FreezPak Logistics co-founder and CEO David Saoud said. “Given our long-term relationship with Plug, it makes sense to work together toward a common vision — progression and reducing carbon emissions.”
As a Plug customer for eight years, Saoud said FreezPak Logistics has witnessed firsthand the benefits of transitioning from lead-acid batteries to hydrogen fuel cells. The company reported seeing a productivity boost of 100% because fuel cells operate at full power throughout a shift, while batteries require frequent recharging.
In addition to greenhouse gas reduction, FreezPak Logistics saw electricity bills drop by 31.5% and an increase in usable space by up to 5,000 square feet per location.
Michael Saoud, FreezPak Logistics’ co-founder and co-CEO, said the deal fits the mission of the company.
“We are committed to clean energy and solutions that boost our operations. Improving uptime and continuing our path with innovation, we are excited to grow our partnership with Plug,” he said.
Plug CEO Andy Marsh applauded the deal.
“FreezPak Logistics has been a longstanding believer in Plug’s innovative technology and hydrogen fuel cells,” he said. “We are thrilled to expand our partnership, which further improves the American supply chain and decreases carbon emissions.”
