Emerson has created a cold chain organization focused on supporting temperature-sensitive and asset optimization solutions wherever commercial goods are moved, stored, or sold. According to Emerson, the organization will offer customers a total-channel approach to protect foods and other critical cargo at every step along the cold chain — from grower and processor to distributor and retailer.

The cold chain has gained importance in the effort to preserve food safety and freshness and minimize food waste. According to the Alexandria Engineering Journal, energy consumption in cold chains globally is only predicted to rise due to increasing population, with 40 percent of all foods requiring refrigeration and 15 percent of world fossil fuel energy used in food transport refrigeration.

“There are big challenges to solve with the amount of food wasted, revenues lost, and energy consumed globally, and this is why we are expanding our role in safeguarding the cold chain,” said John Rhodes, newly named group president of cold chain for Emerson Commercial and Residential Solutions. “Organizing our expertise and resources to focus on the cold chain and deliver unique solutions that help improve food quality, reduce energy use, and optimize business effectiveness will allow us to bring more value to our customers while making a positive impact on the environment.”

The new cold chain organization is led by a team of long-time Emerson executives, including Rhodes who previously managed Emerson’s refrigeration business. Within the cold chain organization, there are now four market-focused teams to solve challenges and develop industry-specific offerings for food retail, foodservice, transportation, and aftermarket distribution customers. These teams are led by Ed McKiernan in his new position of president of the cold chain business.

To accelerate development of new cold chain technologies and services, group president Mark Dunson, leads the company’s global electronics & solutions business.

“The digital solutions and Internet of Things (IoT) approach Emerson brings to the industry are the next wave of tools that our customers can utilize to further enhance their brands, advance their management of food quality and waste, and boost their optimization of critical infrastructure,” Dunson said. “Our focus on connected controls and monitoring services, 20-plus years of data-driven insights and recent investments in the cargo space make us an even stronger partner for customers looking to holistically manage and optimize their buildings, equipment and perishable inventory.”

For more information, visit Emerson.com/ColdChain. 

Publication date: 10/30/2017

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