2021 priorities support business continuity, growth and innovation

You may have heard that VersaCold Logistics Services has been acquired by TorQuest Partners.

During a time when many businesses have suffered from pandemic-related losses, we’re extremely grateful our business continues to thrive. We’re also excited about the new opportunities we’ll have to further enhance our customers’ success.

That said, we want to share seven priorities for 2021 that will allow us to continue to raise the bar and meet evolving customer needs.

1. Leveraging TorQuest's expertise

TorQuest Partners, our new owner, is a Canadian-owned private equity firm in Toronto with twenty years of experience. The company’s deep Canadian roots means its leaders understand how to navigate this market and are committed to VersaCold’s success here and abroad. Besides this strength, TorQuest’s diverse holdings in the logistics, food, and consumer products spaces will bring a broad range of knowledge and expertise to boost VersaCold’s competitive advantage.

2. Investing in growth

TorQuest Partners believes in the escalating demand for temperature-controlled logistics services and is committed to growing Versacold’s business through partnerships and expansions. As the first platform investment from TorQuest’s Fund V — a $1.375 billion fund that closed in March 2020 — TorQuest has the ability to provide financial support to take VersaCold to the next level.

Investment Management Corporation of Ontario (IMCO) and OPTrust, partners in the acquisition transaction, are also dedicated to supporting VersaCold’s continued growth as Canada’s leading food-focused temperature-sensitive warehousing and logistics company.

Topics: VersaCold

The plant-based industry is laying down roots

From fast-food to fine dining establishments, plant-based protein is becoming an increasingly popular menu item. So, when one producer brought their operation to Canada, they needed a partner to help accommodate their expanding operation.

The Canadian facility accommodated both the production and packaging processes but did not have the freezer space or the general storage area needed to store ingredients, packaging materials—or the finished product. “It was very time-sensitive because the facility that does the manufacturing had barely any freezer space,” explains Max Perreault, Sales Director for Eastern Canada at VersaCold. With a rapidly expanding market adding to existing storage concerns, finding a partner with the ability to scale on-demand was a primary concern.

Topics: VersaCold, food safety

Why agility was the key to productivity at VersaCold throughout the pandemic

VersaCold Director of Quality Management Systems, Moses Akingbade, recently participated in the American Supply Chain Summit where he shared how VersaCold has achieved business continuity throughout the pandemic, with zero days of productivity lost due to COVID-19 so far.

As a logistics provider for the warehousing and transportation of food products across North America, VersaCold had to implement rapid change in order to ensure the safety and reliability of its network throughout the pandemic. With requirements changing every day, Moses says the key to planning for an unknown future is to pursue a collaborative approach with agility built into your response plan. VersaCold applied this philosophy in the form of a six-step plan for business continuity.

Topics: VersaCold, food safety

How VersaCold is approaching the next phase of COVID-19 recovery

It’s been over six months since COVID-19 changed the world and VersaCold is proud of the way we’ve adjusted our practices and protocols to help ensure the safety of our employees and the food we move. It’s thanks to these efforts and those of so many other Canadians, that we will continue to persevere through the next phase of the pandemic and the approaching cold and flu season.

With restrictions continuing to change, there is, understandably, a level of uncertainty. For example, parents likely have had to face uncertainty around the return to school. First, whether to send their children back at all. If they do return, must they refrain from visiting elderly family members? What if one of their friends gets sick? As President and Chief Operating Officer of VersaCold Logistics Services, Mike Arcamone, says, “These sorts of questions mirror the situation at VersaCold—we want to return to ‘normal’, but we want to do it safely.”

With the hope of providing some guidance for the next phase of the pandemic, the following are VersaCold’s current recommendations for the optimal safety of our own staff, at work and at home.

Topics: VersaCold, food safety

Enjoy the great outdoors while preventing food-borne illness

Barbeques, picnics, and camp cookouts have always been a favourite activity when the weather is nice. And throughout the summer of 2020, more people are still venturing into the great outdoors to enjoy meals and participate in physically distanced social gatherings. While open air activities may offer a lower risk for contracting airborne illnesses, it’s important to protect yourself against foodborne illnesses too.

Topics: VersaCold, food safety

Communication was the key to fast action for food safety and supply

As COVID-19 measures have started to relax across the country, we here at VersaCold have had a chance to reflect on our own response to the pandemic while at the same time, preparing to move forward with safety and business continuity in mind. We spoke to Lorna Jellow, Director, Labour Relations and Brian Printz, Director, National Accounts, who shared their unique perspectives on how VersaCold employees adapted under the pressures of COVID-19. Across the board, communication stood out as the number one tool for success in this unknown environment.

Topics: VersaCold, food safety

When it comes to your food, VersaCold employees are the first to care

Virtually every business has been forced to adapt to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. As an essential service in the food industry, VersaCold has rapidly adjusted our processes so that we can continue to handle your food safely and effectively—and that starts with the health of our employees.

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When soup-making gatherings came to a halt, Soup Sisters adapted their recipe

According to Food Banks Canada, food banks have seen a 20% increase in demand throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. And although food transportation remains an essential service, some charitable organizations have encountered challenges when it comes to the safe delivery of food to those in need. So when the non-profit organization Soup Sisters approached VersaCold for assistance in April, we jumped at the opportunity to help.

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New heat exchange system slashes energy consumption at BC facility

Today marks the fiftieth anniversary of Earth Day, the annual worldwide demonstration of support for environmental protection. Since its start in 1970, Earth Day has grown to include events in 193 countries. The COVID-19 crisis has meant those events are all virtual this year, so we at VersaCold wanted to join in the online conversation by talking about some of the initiatives we’ve been taking to help our planet.

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Drivers provide an essential service and its important they be treated well

VersaCold appreciates that governments are recognizing transportation as an essential service.

All truck drivers picking up or making deliveries to VersaCold locations will have access to washroom facilities.

This comes in response to concerns expressed by drivers and industry groups that, while considered an essential service, drivers have found it increasingly difficult to access washrooms.

In response, VersaCold acting quickly to ensure that by Sunday there are washrooms services – either permanent or temporary - available at every one of its 29 nationwide locations.

‘Many drivers arrive at VersaCold facilities from across North America and they need access to basic personal services,’ says Sandro Caccaro, Senior Vice-President and General Manager at VersaCold Transportation Solutions. ‘We appreciate the services that drivers provide and its important to us that they be treated well.’

The company is implementing this while also prioritizing the health and safety of employees with stringent policies to prevent the spread of germs, including COVID-19, into its facilities.

VersaCold Logistics Services is Canada’s largest company offering food-focused, temperatures-sensitive logistics services. If you have any questions or want reach out to us about transportation or other logistics needs, contact sales@versacold.com or 1-800-563-2653.

Topics: VersaCold