Atlanta, Georgia—Americold Logistics has awarded Primus Builders the Design/Build contract for Americold's warehouse expansion and addition in Indianapolis, Indiana. The temperature-controlled central ammonia refrigeration facility will feature a rack supported highrise, automated storage/retrieval system (AS/RS).

Americold, which houses the largest temperature-controlled warehousing and logistics network in the United States, manages over 90,000 truckloads of freight annually. The Indianapolis project is the sixth project Primus will perform for Americold.

A vital part of the country's supply chain, Americold has seen tremendous growth and recognized the need for a larger, automated facility in centrally located Indianapolis to provide their clients with state-of-the-art support and storage. After a competitive bid process, Americold selected Primus Builders for the Design/Build portion of the project, and Primus will partner with Viastore, whom Americold selected to perform the automated components.

The Indianapolis project will feature a 20,000 pallet storage capability housed within a 72,000 SF building envelope. There will be an additional 25,000 SF of offi ce and dock areas. Temperature-appropriate building materials will be implemented, as this will be a convertible facility to house products from -10 degrees to +35 degrees.

Primus and Viastore have begun working together to integrate building design and engineering with the needs dictated by the automated systems. Design challenges include incorporating the reaction and fl oor-loading requirements for the storage components into the initial structural design. Other anticipated challenges involve thickening the structural foundation, making allowances for 100' clear height,providing for a shrink-compensating fl oor in temperaturesensitive areas, and building a 100' stair tower for rooftop access. Challenging design and construction timelines will be maintained to adhere to the aggressive project schedule.

Permitting is already underway, with project staff having met with offi cials at the City of Indianapolis. This part of the process is well on track, and the initial permit for mass grading was issued within a week of project award.

"Green" features of the project will include variablefrequency drives (VFDs—desirable for their reduced energy consumption) and high-effi ciency motors, as well as LED lighting.

The project is slated to be completed in late 2011, approximately one year from project kickoff. Primus has previously delivered successful Americold assignments in Salt Lake City, UT; Fremont, NE; Massillon, OH; and Albertville, AL.