Commercial Cold Holdings (CCH), one of the largest cold storage and logistics providers, announced the acquisition of iDube Cold Storage based in KwaZulu Natal (KZN), South Africa, for an undisclosed amount. The transaction represents CCH’s third deal of after acquiring CCS Logistics and Sequence Logistics in 2023. CCH was established in 2023 with funds managed by African Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM) to improve essential food security across sub-Saharan Africa through temperature-controlled logistics infrastructure.
The addition of the iDube facility to CCH’s warehousing network will provide 9 000 pallets of refrigerated capacity in Durban.
Francois Roux, Chief Commercial Officer, Commercial Cold Holdings (CCH) said: “iDube will significantly enhance our capabilities in the region, increasing our total capacity in KwaZulu Natal to 25,000 pallet positions. This new addition complements our already established and well-known Keystone Park facility.”
Damilola Agbaje, Investment Director at AIIM, said: “Additional capacity at iDube provides CCH with the opportunity to extend its offering in KZN and nationally, thereby meeting the demand from new and existing customers.”
The acquisition expands CCH’s national footprint, bringing the total capacity to 153,000 pallet positions across 11 facilities in South Africa and Namibia.
“The CCH management team is excited to welcome both the iDube facility and its dedicated staff into the CCH family. We are committed to ensuring a seamless transition for all iDube customers, with no operational interruptions,” said Roux.
Paul Gibbons, CEO of CCH, said: “We are proud to welcome IDube to the CCH family. The iDube location is strategic given that its port location facilitates imports for our customers. It is our intent to invest in the iDube people, systems, infrastructure, and capabilities to improve service to our customers. Further to this we will look at reducing our carbon footprint through increased use of renewable energy.”
AIIM believes temperature-controlled logistics (TCL) infrastructure is critical for improving Sub-Saharan Africa’s food security, allowing domestic producers to meet the standards required to participate in global trade; and creating higher value jobs through more formal food retail and wholesale models. The infrastructure provided by CCH is there a critical step into a high growth and high impact sector.
“CCH remains committed to investing and growing Africa’s cold storage infrastructure and thereby improving food security and quality for the continent,” concluded Agbaje.
About Commercial Cold Holdings
Commercial Cold Holdings (Pty) Ltd (CCH) was established in 2023 to target the growing demand for temperature-controlled logistics as food supply chains are growing in volume, length and complexity across the continent. CCH is a leading cold chain logistics platform controlled by funds managed by African Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM), a subsidiary of Old Mutual Alternative Investments achieving significant milestones in its expansion within the temperature-controlled logistics industry.
With a vision to increase food security through cold chain infrastructure expansion and customer centric cold chain solutions. CCH is growing the cold chain in Africa together with their customers, partners and stakeholders. They are committed to meaningfully invest in the people, systems, infrastructure and technology of all the businesses withing the group.
