When the world’s largest dairy group, Lactalis, sought to transform its ageing Parow facility into a modern, energy-efficient distribution centre (DC), Energy Partners delivered a turnkey solution that’s already delivering substantial operational and energy gains.
The game-changing upgrade has slashed energy use by more than 30%, doubled storage capacity, and future-proofed one of South Africa’s most critical cold chain hubs.
Situated in the Parow Industrial Area, the newly refurbished DC supports the distribution of cheeses, yoghurts, flavoured milk and other chilled products.
A smart retrofit with big results
The project converts a 1990s-era cold storage site into a high-performance logistics asset. Rather than demolish and rebuild, Energy Partners reimagined the existing structure, keeping costs down by reusing and upgrading existing components, while dramatically improving performance and efficiency.
The project was executed in phases to keep operations running, and the entire site was reworked with energy efficiency, reliability and food safety in mind:
- A single, tall cold storage room replaced multiple inefficient ones, improving airflow, reducing energy loss, and maximising usable space.
- Advanced insulation and intelligent door systems help keep temperatures stable, even during high traffic.
- Natural refrigerants, like ammonia and CO₂, were used to meet global safety and sustainability standards.
24/7 monitoring and optimisation
Today, the Parow site is monitored 24/7 by Energy Partners’ expert team. Through remote tracking tools, the system’s health and energy performance are visible at all times, helping prevent breakdowns, reduce risk, and keep operations running smoothly.
Technicians can make real-time adjustments from anywhere, and Lactalis receives detailed reports on how the system is performing. It’s part of the Energy Partners commitment to ongoing excellence, long after commissioning.
Smarter, leaner, more sustainable
- More than 30% less energy used per month
- Over 150% more storage volume
- Smaller footprint, bigger impact
For food producers, retailers and logistics providers, cold chain efficiency is a necessity, and the work done at Lactalis Parow shows what’s possible when a client and service partner collaborate to create something smarter, leaner and more sustainable.
