What The World Group does

The World Group is a strategic partnership of seven independent refrigerated and frozen logistics companies operating across North America since 1978. The network comprises Florida Freezer, Frialsa Frigorificos, Los Angeles Cold Storage, Nor-Am Cold Storage, Sierra Pacific Warehouse Group, SnoTemp, and Trenton Cold Storage, collectively operating 50+ temperature-controlled warehouses in the United States, Canada, and Mexico with combined storage capacity exceeding 275 million cubic feet. Each member company operates independently in its geographic region while operating under shared World Group brand standards, with headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland. The network encompasses 1,001–5,000 employees and serves as a cooperative alliance of independently owned cold chain logistics providers rather than a centrally held corporate entity.

The company's core service is temperature-controlled warehousing — freezer, cooler, and ambient storage — supported by an extensive suite of value-added 3PL capabilities including blast freezing, cross-docking, import/export coordination, USDC/USDA inspection, repacking, co-packing, kitting, rail transloading, and port drayage. Temperature range spans ultra-low (-76°F) to ambient (+70°F), with strategically located facilities near major North American ports (Oakland, Stockton, LA, Miami) and key transportation corridors. Underlying technology includes EDI integration for customer system interoperability, web-based real-time inventory tracking allowing 24/7 customer visibility, and at certain members, eCommerce fulfillment platforms enabling direct-to-consumer cold chain service. The LA facility uniquely operates a USDC lab for seafood inspection.

The World Group operates a direct-to-enterprise sales model in which customers engage specific member companies for region-tailored service, supplemented by industry association participation (GCCA, IARW, AFFI, WFLO, NFRA, NPFDA, IACSC, IRTA) and member-referral network effects. Revenue is generated through usage-based storage fees and transaction-based 3PL service fees, with pricing not publicly disclosed. The primary customer segment is the food industry — manufacturers, producers, and distributors — with a secondary focus on direct-to-consumer food brands requiring cold chain e-commerce fulfillment. No specific customer logos are publicly disclosed.

Name

The World Group

Legal name

The World Group Cold Logistics Network

Website

https://theworldgroup.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

The World Group is a strategic partnership of seven independent refrigerated and frozen logistics companies operating 50+ temperature-controlled warehouses across North America with 275+ million cubic feet of combined storage capacity, serving food industry manufacturers, distributors, and direct-to-consumer brands.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cold Chain Logistics and Refrigerated Warehousing

NAICS

Refrigerated Warehousing and Storage (493120), Refrigerated Warehousing and Storage (49312), Warehousing and Storage (4931), Transportation and Warehousing (48-49)

SIC

Public Warehousing & Storage (4220), Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Refrigerated Warehousing (Multi-Client) (AFAOAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Food & Beverage Cold Storage (Fresh/Chilled) (TLALABAA), Refrigerated (Chilled) Freight Forwarding (TLACAMAA), Food & Beverage Frozen Storage (Meat, Seafood, Dairy, Produce, Bakery) (TLALACAA), Chilled / Fresh Transport (Refrigerated) (TLADAHAG)

Keywords

• Cold storage warehousing
• Refrigerated logistics services
• Third-party logistics
• Temperature-controlled supply chain
• Frozen food distribution

Headquarters

HQ city

Bethesda

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Refrigerated/Frozen Warehouse Storage: Public refrigerated and frozen warehouse storage services with multi-temperature capabilities. Customers pay for storage space utilization in temperature-controlled facilities.
2. Third-Party Logistics (3PL) Services: Comprehensive supply chain solutions including case picking, kitting, repackaging, cross-docking, blast freezing, and value-added services. Revenue generated through service fees based on handling volume and complexity.
3. Transportation and Distribution: Freight brokerage, local deliveries, LTL/FTL transportation, port drayage, and nationwide distribution services. Revenue from transportation fees and logistics management.
4. Freight Brokerage Services: Freight brokerage services in the U.S. and Canada, plus direct interstate trucking and transload services through affiliate FLGO Freight

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

The World Group is a strategic partnership of seven independent refrigerated and frozen logistics companies that collectively deliver temperature-controlled warehousing, transportation, and value-added supply chain services for the food industry across North America. The network operates more than 50 refrigerated warehouses in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, offering over 275 million cubic feet of combined storage capacity ranging from ultra-low (-76F) to ambient temperatures, along with 3PL services such as blast freezing, cross-docking, import/export handling, USDC/USDA inspection, repacking, co-packing, and rail drayage.

Product overview

The World Group is a strategic partnership of independent refrigerated/frozen logistics and warehousing companies providing the food industry with temperature-controlled supply chain solutions across North America. The network comprises 7 member companies (Florida Freezer, Frialsa Frigorificos, Los Angeles Cold Storage, Nor-Am Cold Storage, Sierra Pacific Warehouse Group, SnoTemp, and Trenton Cold Storage) offering a combined storage capacity exceeding 275 million cubic feet. The core product is cold storage services (freezer, cooler, and ambient storage) supported by logistics and transportation services including blast freezing, cross-docking, import/export services, USDC/USDA inspection services, repacking, co-packing, rail service, and port drayage. The member companies operate independently in different geographic regions (Mexico, Canada, and the United States) while sharing the World Group brand and operational standards.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cold Storage Services Temperature-controlled warehousing including freezer storage (sub-zero temperatures down to -76F), cooler storage (refrigerated), and ambient storage for frozen and perishable food products across more than 50 facilities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Customers are food manufacturers, producers, distributors, and importers/exporters requiring reliable cold chain infrastructure.
• Refrigerated and Frozen Transportation Logistics Transportation and logistics services for temperature-controlled cargo, including truckload (TL) and less-than-truckload (LTL) solutions, specialized courier shipments, freight brokerage across the U.S. and Canada, port drayage, and transload services. Serves food producers and distributors needing end-to-end cold chain transport.
• Blast Freezing Services Rapid freezing services to preserve product quality and extend shelf life of food products. Available at network member facilities including Frialsa Frigorificos in Mexico.
• Cross-Docking Services Transfer and distribution services with minimal storage time, facilitating efficient movement of goods through the cold chain. Available at Frialsa and other member facilities.
• Import/Export Services International logistics services including customs clearance coordination, port drayage, and cross-border movement of temperature-sensitive products for food importers and exporters.
• USDC/USDA Inspection Services Product inspection and certification services ensuring compliance with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Department of Commerce (USDC) standards, including seafood inspection at the on-site USDC lab in Los Angeles. Targets seafood and food importers/processors needing regulatory inspection.
• Repacking and Co-Packing Services Re-packaging and contract packaging services for food products including case picking, kitting, multipack assembly, and reassembly of inventory. Used by food manufacturers and direct-to-consumer food brands needing custom packaging configurations.
• Direct-to-Consumer eCommerce Fulfillment Order fulfillment and e-commerce capabilities for food brands selling directly to consumers, including case selection, order picking, packaging, and cold-chain last-mile handoff across network facilities.
• Rail and Intermodal Service Rail-served warehouse facilities with transloading capabilities for efficient intermodal transportation of temperature-controlled goods, supporting cross-country domestic distribution.

Quantifiable outcome

• 275+ million cubic feet of combined storage capacity
• +1 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• Florida FreezercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFlorida-based cold storage and logistics provider with facilities in North Fort Myers, Miami, and Lakeland. Member since 2021 with expanded South Florida coverage.
• Frialsa FrigorificoscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMexico's leading cold chain logistics company operating 30 locations with 165 million cubic feet of refrigerated and frozen storage capacity. Provides nationwide coverage and integrated logistics solutions in Mexico.
• Los Angeles Cold Storage CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner7.5 million cubic feet of public frozen food warehouses in central downtown Los Angeles with easy access to five freeways. Provides ultra-low temperature storage (-76F) and USDC lab services.
• Nor-Am Cold StoragecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFamily-owned 3PL provider with 20.5 million cubic feet of refrigerated space across 5 Midwestern locations (Le Mars, IA; Detroit Lakes, MN; Schuyler, NE; St. Joseph, MO; Kansas City, MO).
• Sierra Pacific Warehouse GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFamily-owned network of cold and dry warehouses in California's Central Valley with locations in Patterson and Modesto. BRCGS AA Certified with strategic access to Port of Oakland and Port of Stockton.
• SnoTempcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFamily-owned and operated with over 70 years of experience, 750,000 sf of temperature-controlled storage between -20F and +70F across Eugene, Albany, and Redmond, Oregon.
• Trenton Cold StoragecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFull-service 3PL company with over 34 million cubic feet across Trenton, Ontario (6 facilities), Toronto, Edmonton, and Calgary. In operation since 1902, among top temperature-controlled providers in North America.
• Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe World Group is actively involved in the Global Cold Chain Alliance, staying on the cutting edge of industry knowledge and best practices.
• American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry association membership providing access to frozen food industry trends, standards, and networking opportunities.
• World Food Logistics Organization (WFLO)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry association membership supporting global food logistics standards and education.
• National Poultry & Food Distributors Association (NPFDA)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry association membership connecting with poultry and food distribution sector.
• International Association for Cold Storage Construction (IACSC)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry association focused on cold storage construction standards and practices.
• National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry association promoting frozen and refrigerated food products and industry standards.
• International Refrigerated Transportation Association (IRTA)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry association focused on refrigerated transportation standards and practices.
• International Association of Refrigerated Warehouses (IARW)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading industry association for refrigerated warehousing, providing standards and best practices.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• United States Cold Storage: US Cold Storage operates ~40 temperature-controlled facilities across North America offering public warehousing, blast freezing, and value-added services. Directly comparable as a multi-client food-industry cold storage operator with similar service mix.
• Americold Logistics: Americold is the largest publicly traded REIT in temperature-controlled warehousing, with ~250 facilities globally (~1.5B cu ft). Closest public-market comparable for The World Group's network on scale, multi-client warehousing model, and food-industry customer mix.
• Lineage Logistics: Lineage is the world's largest temperature-controlled warehousing and logistics company, operating ~480 facilities globally, including the largest North American cold storage footprint. Directly comparable as a multi-client public refrigerated warehouse operator with integrated transportation and value-added services.
• Hanson Logistics: Hanson Logistics is a Midwest- and East Coast-based cold storage and temperature-controlled transportation provider serving food manufacturers. Comparable to several World Group members offering frozen storage, blast freezing, and LTL/FTL reefer services.
• Burris Logistics: Burris Logistics operates refrigerated and frozen warehousing with harvest-to-home transportation and value-added services on the US East Coast. Directly comparable as a multi-temperature food-focused cold storage and logistics provider.
• NewCold: NewCold is a technology-driven, automated cold storage operator with deep North American and European presence. Comparable as a multi-temperature, multi-client refrigerated warehouse operator serving the food industry with advanced automation.
• Interstate Cold Storage: Interstate Cold Storage is a Midwest-anchored public refrigerated warehouse operator with multiple facilities and full 3PL capabilities. Comparable to The World Group's regional member companies (e.g., Nor-Am) in service mix and customer base.

Broad incumbents

• DHL Global Forwarding (Cold Chain): DHL operates a global temperature-controlled freight forwarding and life sciences cold chain network. Comparable as a broader incumbent offering temperature-controlled logistics, though not specializing in public refrigerated warehousing.
• RXO (Cold Chain Solutions): RXO operates a large North American freight brokerage and last-mile network with growing temperature-controlled capabilities. Comparable as a broader transportation/logistics incumbent expanding into refrigerated brokerage and supply chain services.

Regional players

• Frialsa Frigorificos: Frialsa is Mexico's leading cold chain logistics company with 30 locations and ~165M cu ft of refrigerated capacity. It is a member of The World Group but is also a standalone competitor in Mexico for other cold storage operators seeking cross-border capability.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/TheWorldGroupColdLogisticsNetwork
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/theworldgroupcoldlogisticsnetwork

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The World Group