Everidge

Cory Hakes

Refrigeration Project Authority

Cold storage projects are different from conventional construction because the finished environment must perform every day after turnover. A refrigerated box is not just a room with insulated panels and mechanical equipment. It is a coordinated system involving the thermal envelope, refrigeration, doors, controls, humidity management, electrical infrastructure, condensate routing, installation quality and long-term service access. My approach to construction services is shaped by that reality: the best project outcomes come from identifying performance risk before it reaches the field.

Strengths That Shaped My Approach

My strengths are rooted in connecting construction execution with technical refrigeration requirements. In cold storage, quality is measured by temperature stability, reliability, energy performance and the ability to protect the product. That means the planning process has to be more disciplined than a typical construction scope review. We need to understand the operating temperature, product load, door traffic, box dimensions, equipment location, piping routes, utility capacity, vapor control and owner expectations before the project is released.

Efficiency comes from clarity. When the team knows what is being built, what conditions exist on-site and which decisions affect the critical path, the project can move with fewer disruptions. High-quality outcomes come from treating the insulated enclosure, refrigeration system and controls platform as one integrated solution.

Key Challenges in Cold Storage Construction

The biggest challenge is variability. A new distribution facility, an active retail store, a food production environment and a retrofit walk-in cooler all create different constraints. Site access, shutdown windows, existing utilities, roof or grade-mounted equipment, condensate routing, electrical phasing, temperature requirements and owner operations can all affect the work.

Redundancy is one of the most important early decisions. It can materially change equipment selection, controls design, installation cost and lifecycle reliability. Some customers need redundant refrigeration capacity because downtime or product loss is unacceptable. Others may accept a simpler system based on budget, application and service strategy. Either way, the decision must be defined early, not discovered during procurement or installation.

Controls are equally critical. Modern refrigeration depends on sensors, controllers, alarms, remote monitoring and, in some cases, lead-lag sequencing. If controls are not coordinated with the equipment design and the owners’ operating requirements, the project may be mechanically complete but operationally incomplete.

Coordinating Teams, Timelines and Resources Successful

execution starts with a shared plan. I focus on defining responsibilities, validating site readiness, tracking long-lead materials and managing key dates such as approved submittals, release to production, refrigeration procurement, panel manufacturing, equipment delivery, installation access, startup, commissioning and turnover.

Cold storage projects often involve sales engineering, refrigeration engineering, panel manufacturing, door suppliers, electrical contractors, refrigeration technicians, controls specialists, installation crews, general contractors and owner operations. The project manager’s job is to connect those groups with practical field information and clear decision points. If a milestone is at risk, it needs to be visible early enough for the team to react.

Trends Influencing the Cold Storage Industry

The cold storage market is being shaped by energy efficiency, refrigerant transition, labor constraints, smarter controls, digital monitoring and increased expectations for supply chain reliability. Owners are looking beyond first cost and paying closer attention to the total cost of ownership. That puts more emphasis on installation quality, thermal performance, serviceability, commissioning and system visibility.

Technology is helping, but it is not a substitute for field experience. Digital surveys, photo documentation, project dashboards and remote monitoring improve communication and accountability. The strongest results come when those tools are paired with experienced judgment and disciplined execution.

To Future Construction Leaders

Learn the work from the field level up. In cold storage and refrigeration, leadership requires more than schedule management. It requires understanding how insulated panels, vapor barriers, doors, refrigeration loads, airflow, humidity, electrical systems and controls interact. Spend time with installers, technicians, engineers, manufacturers, project managers and customers.

The best leaders create clarity, communicate risk early and respect the technical details that determine long-term performance. Cold storage construction supports food distribution, retail, manufacturing and other critical operations. The work requires precision, accountability and coordination. My goal is to bring structure to complex projects and help deliver refrigerated environments that are safe, efficient, reliable and built for longterm performance.