Commercial Cold Holdings expands network with iDube Cold Storage acquisition

SOUTH AFRICA – Commercial Cold Holdings (CCH), a leading cold storage and logistics provider in Africa, has expanded its network with the acquisition of iDube Cold Storage in KwaZulu-Natal.

This deal, the company’s third major acquisition, follows the purchases of CCS Logistics and Sequence Logistics in 2023. The financial details of the acquisition remain undisclosed.

The acquisition of iDube Cold Storage adds 9,000 pallets of refrigerated capacity to CCH’s network. This expansion increases the company’s total cold storage capacity in KwaZulu-Natal to 25,000 pallet positions.

“iDube will significantly enhance our capabilities in the region and complement our well-established Keystone Park facility,” said Francois Roux, Chief Commercial Officer at CCH.

Roux emphasized that the strategic value of this acquisition will allow the company to expand its offerings both in KwaZulu-Natal and nationally, addressing the growing demand from new and existing customers.

Paul Gibbons, CEO of CCH, highlighted the strategic significance of iDube’s location. “The proximity to the port is vital for facilitating imports for our customers,” he stated.

Gibbons also noted plans to invest in iDube’s workforce, systems, infrastructure, and capabilities to improve service delivery. Additionally, CCH is focusing on reducing its carbon footprint by increasing the use of renewable energy.

Established in 2023 with support from African Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM), CCH aims to enhance food security across sub-Saharan Africa by developing temperature-controlled logistics infrastructure.

The company now boasts a footprint of 153,000 pallet positions across 11 facilities in South Africa and Namibia. AIIM sees temperature-controlled logistics as key to improving food security, helping domestic producers meet global trade standards, and creating higher-value jobs through more formal food retail and wholesale models.

The cold chain market in the Middle East and Africa is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.4%, reaching USD 35.1 billion by 2028.

The global cold storage market, valued at approximately USD 119.8 billion in 2022, is expected to grow at a CAGR of 17.5% from 2023 to 2030.

This growth is fueled by rising demand for temperature-sensitive products and the expansion of organized retail sectors in developing economies.

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