Cold Zone groundbreaking
Cold Zone, a leading provider of cold storage logistics solutions and a subsidiary of the Erlen Group, has officially broken ground on a $57 million expansion in Springfield's Partnership Industrial Center West. Located within Springfield's Enhanced Enterprise Zone, the state-of-the-art facility will feature temperature zones for both frozen and cooler products, further solidifying Springfield's role as a hub for food production and distribution.
The new 170,000-square-foot facility, scheduled for completion by August 2025, is part of a larger strategic expansion of Erlen Group’s logistical space. The new facility will have the potential to expand up to 800,000 square feet, accommodating Springfield’s rapidly growing food manufacturing sector, which has grown by more than six percent in the past five years.
"We are proud to unveil our latest project, which represents a significant milestone from Cold Zone and the Erlen Group,” said John Griesemer, CEO of Erlen Group. “With the demand for temperature-controlled storage and distribution solutions on the rise, our new facility in Springfield will enable us to better serve our clients while driving innovation in the industry.”
The new facility is under construction on Site K, a 46-acre Missouri Department of Economic Development certified site, that sits within Partnership Industrial Center West a 388-acre shovel ready industrial park adjacent to the Springfield-Branson National Airport. This announcement marks the fourth site and brings the total to nearly 100 acres sold in the park within a year, with approximately 80 acres across six sites remaining available.
"As the primary facilitators of economic development for the Springfield region, we are proud of the locally driven economic growth that this project illustrates,” said Chamber President Matt Morrow. “A $57 million expansion like Cold Zone's, an existing and homegrown business, sends a message that Springfield has a great ecosystem to grow. Just look at any of our other homegrown companies that lead the market, Bass Pro Shops, Springfield Remanufacturing Corporation, O’Reilly Auto Parts, and Paul Mueller Company. Our team looks forward to telling this story to the businesses considering our region."
The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce celebrates Cold Zone's investment in our community as an existing employer contributing to the economic prosperity of the larger Springfield region. For information on available property in the Springfield region, contact Ben Vickers – ben@springfieldchamber.com
About Erlen Group
Erlen Group is a family-owned conglomerate based in Springfield, Missouri, dedicated to fostering growth and success for its team members, clients, and the communities it serves. With investments in three key sectors—real estate, aggregate stone, and logistics—Erlen Group exemplifies its commitment to regional development and economic vitality.
Real Estate: Erlen Group owns and operates Springfield Underground, a three-million-square-foot private underground industrial park, providing unique and secure industrial space solutions.
Aggregate Stone: Through the operation of four aggregate stone companies, Erlen Group supplies essential materials that support infrastructure and construction projects across the region.
Logistics: The group's logistics division includes Umlaut with transloading rail service and Cold Zone refrigerated storage, ensuring efficient and reliable transportation and storage solutions for a variety of goods.
