Dot Foods Inc., the largest food redistributor in North America, selected Maple Reinders to act as their Design-Builder for their flagship Canadian Head Office and Distribution Center. An important milestone facility meant to demonstrate a long-term commitment to the Canadian market, combined with their high-profile presence, meant the selection of Design-Builder was critical to the Project’s success.

The facility is comprised of an 85,000 sf freezer at -18°C to -30°C, a 30,000 sf cooler/cold dock at 10°C to 3°C, a 45,000 sf ambient storage and distribution production area, and a 10,000 sf office. This facility utilizes an innovative and sustainably conscious transcritical CO2 Refrigeration system. Maple Reinders assisted Dot Foods in developing a cost analysis and comparison demonstrating the short and long term benefits of this newer technology. Through this analysis, we were confidently able to present the environmental, operational, and financial benefits of the transcritical CO2 system. Within the refrigerated and ambient storage areas of the facility, the concrete slab is a joint-free slab which utilizes additives toward a more sustainable approach which reduces the amount of concrete material required to achieve the required density. This approach also provides a tangible operational benefit over the life of the facility through lowered maintenance costs and a more hygienic environment for food-grade use.

As the Design-Builder, Maple Reinders assisted the efforts of Dot Foods by providing a true turnkey solution. Our team managed the process of site due diligence, preliminary planning and feasibility, ancillary reports, site plan approvals, and building permits. By leveraging Maple Reinders’ ongoing, positive relationship with the Municipality, we were able to expedite deliverables, on all sides, to the benefit of all project stakeholders. We also undertook the planning, coordination, and schedule integration of all specialized equipment, storage systems, and materials handling to ensure the project was delivered in a ready-to-operate state at completion.