Contributing to high added value in the food industry and the export expansion of Hokkaido products

We have established a new logistics base for “food” at the Port of Tomakomai and formulated a new logistics model to contribute to high added value of the food industry and the export expansion of Hokkaido products, endeavoring towards the following: ①levelling of foodstuff shipment, ②development of the food processing industry, ③consolidation and collaboration of Hokkaido-produced products, ④strengthening the import/export system in cooperation with airports, etc. “Hokkaido Cool Logistics Place,” which started operations in May 2020 and is the highest-grade temperature-controlled refrigerator/freezer in Hokkaido, is positioned as the core facility driving these endeavors.

Storage in a facility with advanced functions

Hokkaido Cool Logistics Place (temperature-controlled refrigerator/freezer) is a facility managed by our company. It was established and owned by Hokkaido Cool Logistics Place Co., Ltd., which we mainly founded. This facility is a next-generation cold storage warehouse that has advanced functions such as multi-temperature support, freshness preservation, eco-friendliness, energy-saving, and labor-saving. We contribute to the growth and development of the food industry in Hokkaido by establishing a new logistics model, which is focused on regional production and distribution, as a Toyota Motor “port-type” facility that complements logistics within Hokkaido.

“Next-generation cold storage warehouse” with advanced functions

①Large-scale complex facility that can support multi-temperatures

As a large-scale, multi-temperature facility located at the Port of Tomakomai, a logistics hub, we meet a wide range of demands, from the storage of fresh produce to processed agricultural, livestock, and marine products. We also provide various means of transportation and respond to the diversifying logistical needs of the food industry.

②Levelling of shipment through long-term storage and freshness preservation

With a CA (Controlled Atmosphere) refrigerator and a quick freezer that have extremely high freshness-preserving functions for fresh food products, our advanced logistics base enables Hokkaido food products to be shipped at their best quality and at the best time, taking the market environment into account. Through this, we lead the way in levelling the distribution of Hokkaido products, which face seasonal demand fluctuation and poor transportation efficiency.

③Fostering a new food processing industry

We support the development and attraction of the Hokkaido brand food processing industry, the expansion of the market for intermediate products and frozen foods, and the creation of new food businesses by enabling centralized and stable procurement of ingredients for food processing from all over Hokkaido and providing high value-added logistics services using the land around the Tomatoh industrial area and this facility and by matching producing areas with processing manufacturers in Hokkaido.

④Promoting export through the consolidation and collaboration of Hokkaido-produced food products

As we are also close to the New Chitose Airport, we utilize the potential of both the airport and sea port and aim to expand low-cost transportation by sea, develop core products that meet market needs, and promote the export of Hokkaido foods by providing a small-scale consolidated marine transportation base with integrated trading in collaboration with the Hokkaido International Distribution Organization and regional trading companies.

⑤Strengthening disaster response functions by methods such as distributing storage

Even in the event of disasters that disrupt the logistics network, such as typhoons or earthquakes, we show our strength through our distributed storage at the port. We also have sufficient earthquake resistance and emergency power generation facilities, and function as a tsunami evacuation site in the port area, contributing to the improvement of the port’s BCP.

⑥Leading in energy saving, labor saving and eco-friendliness

The facility is an energy-saving, labor-saving, environmentally friendly facility that combines cutting-edge hardware and software such as external wall insulation and natural refrigeration equipment utilized alongside automatic warehousing and IoT management. In the medium to long-term, we will promote the use of IT to connect port areas and food supply chains.