Project AutoFreeze: Delivering the Future of Cold Storage for Foodstuffs South Island

Apollo Projects is proud to announce the completion of Project AutoFreeze, a cutting-edge cold storage facility designed and built for Foodstuffs South Island. This project represents a major leap forward in refrigerated logistics, significantly increasing cold storage capacity in the South Island by 200%.

A Fully Automated Cold Store

The fully automated 2,300m2 facility houses 37,000m3 of refrigerated volume, can store 6,000 pallets, and is supported by 340 solar panels that supplement its energy needs. It's automated racking system eliminates the need for human access in the freezer zone, enhancing both safety and operational efficiency while helping maintain a consistent -22 degree temperature.

Advanced Fire Protection

The facility features a hypoxic fire protection system, which maintains oxygen levels at 13.9%, a concentration at which fire cannot ignite. This innovative approach ensures maximum safety in a high-risk environment, setting a new standard for fire protection in cold storage.

Overcoming Complex Challenges

The project involved serveral high-risk and technically demanding phases, including:

• Major power shutdowns across half the site to enable infrastructure upgrades 

• A 12-hour shutdown of the existing CO₂ refrigeration plant to modify pipework for a new tunnel 

• A mid-project cut-in to the existing freezer, requiring structural steel alterations and the installation of rapid-rise doors 

Despite these challenges, the project was delivered on time and on budget, thanks to a collaborative and solutions-focused approach.

Apollo Projects is proud to have partnered with Foodstuffs South Island to deliver this facility, supporting their long-term growth and operational performance.