May 24, 2012 10:52 AM

The International Association of Refrigerated Warehouses (IARW) has released its annual IARW Global Top 25 List of the public refrigerated warehouses (PRWs) with the greatest capacity of warehouse space in the world. Accompanying the Global Top 25 is the IARW North American Top 25 List.

Companies on both lists reported increased capacity. The Global Top 25 currently operates 3.15 billion cubic feet (89.28 million cubic meters)—a 7% increase from 2011. The North American Top 25 operates 2.57 billion cubic feet (72.82 million cubic meters)—a 2% increase from 2011.

“The growth of the Top 25 Lists reflects positive growth in the PRW industry,” said Bill Hudson, IARW president and chief executive officer. “Our members are expanding and strengthening the cold chain around the world to meet the needs of the food industry.”

The combined space of IARW total membership, including the Global Top 25 and North American Top 25 members, accounts for 4.03 billion cubic feet (114.09 million cubic meters). This is a 1.8% increase from this time in 2011.

IARW has members in 65 nations. The Global Top 25 list includes PRW companies with facilities in Argentina, Australia, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Vietnam, and the United States.

A complete listing of all IARW members can be found in the 2012-2013 Global Cold Chain Directory, which is available online at www.gcca.org/directory. This guide connects manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to an international selection of companies specializing in refrigerated warehousing and logistics. Printed copies of the directory are also available—free of charge—to food manufacturers, retailers, foodservice companies, government agencies, trade press, and others working in the cold chain.

The IARW promotes excellence in the global temperature-controlled warehouse and logistics industry. Members of IARW can be identified by the use of IARW logo in their company promotions. For more details, visit www.iarw.org.