Coolstore Design & Construction
We design and build coolstores for New Zealand’s horticulture, food production and export industries. But here’s what sets us apart: we’ve operated coolstore facilities ourselves.
That means we don’t just build to spec. We build to how a real operation runs, under pressure, at peak, when margins are tight and product quality is everything.
The Problem with Most Coolstores
Most coolstores meet the technical minimum. That’s not the same as meeting your needs.
We see the same issues show up again and again:
- Temperature inconsistency — poor airflow design creates warm spots that quietly damage product quality and your reputation.
- Throughput bottlenecks — facilities designed on paper rather than around how a team actually moves product in and out during a busy season.
- Energy blowouts — inefficient insulation and refrigeration systems that punish you on power bills for the life of the building.
- No room to grow — a coolstore built for today that becomes a constraint tomorrow.
We design to solve these problems before the slab goes down.
What We Deliver
End-to-end design and construction, managed by a single team from concept to handover.
No handoffs, no gaps, no “that’s not our problem.”
Feasibility and site assessment
Design and engineering
Consents and approvals
Construction and project delivery
Handover and commissioning
Projects
We’ve delivered coolstore and temperature-controlled facilities across Hawke’s Bay and beyond.
Henderson Road Coolstores, Hastings (2015, 9,020sqm) Two of Hawke’s Bay’s largest coolstores, featuring full Controlled Atmosphere and Smartfresh storage capability with complete product traceability.
Hill Road Coolstore, Fernhill, Hastings (2013 and 2015, 9,860sqm across two stages) A multi-stage development delivering additional coolstore rooms and a canopy for R/A storage as the operation expanded.
Freshmax, Omahu Road (2018-2019, 14,200sqm) One of our largest single coolstore and packhouse projects, delivered to a demanding seasonal timeline.
Pakowhai Road Coolstore (2019-2020, 2,900sqm) Purpose-built under a tight timeline, ready for the 2020 harvest season. Includes a large open-air canopy for truck loading and unloading.
Hastings Coolstore Partnership, Irongate (2023) Delivered for GEK Management LP and their tenant, meeting a firm deadline ahead of the apple season. GEK described the project as demonstrating “high levels of integrity” and “industry knowledge and pragmatic approach” throughout.
Kirkwood Road, Hastings (2014 and 2015, 3,200sqm across two stages) Expansion and new coolstore rooms for an established Hawke’s Bay operation.
Location: Irongate Industrial Park
Date: 2025
Size: 9850m2
This build is made up of 24 CA rooms and 6 RA rooms as well as 9 pre-cool rooms to service the Rockit Packhouse nearby with new technology included to ensure the fruit is preserved to the highest standard possible.
Location: Irongate Industrial Park
Date: 2025
Size: 10400m2
This Coolstore was built to serve the packhouse next door for Sunfruit and includes 12 CA rooms as well as 4 large RA rooms which Sunfruit a good mix of options with their fruit.
Location: Longlands Road, Longlands
Date: 2012
Size: 3000sqm
Stage 3 additional 2 stores and Canopy for R/A Storage
Location: Omahu Road
Date: 2018-2019
Size: 14,200 sqm
Location: 7 Kirkwood road, Hastings
Date: 2014
Size: 1000sqm
Additional 5 coolstore rooms as part of an expansion project
Location: Hill Road
Date: 2013
Size: 3200sqm
Additional 2 cool stores built for increased storage capacity
Location: Henderson Road, Hastings
Date: 2015
Size: 9020sqm
Britkin built two of HB’s largest state of the art cool stores. The facility provides full traceability and has both Controlled Atmosphere storage and Smartfresh storage capability.
Location: 7 Kirkwood Road, Hastings
Date: 2015
Size: 2200sqm
Britkin Construction prides itself on its knowledge of large industrial builds, and delivering builds on time and within budget. Below are projects that we have completed in the last 9 years.
Location: Pakowhai Road
Date: 2019 – 2020
Size: 2900sqm
Pakowhai Road Coolstore was built under a tight timeline to be ready for the 2020 harvest season. The purpose built modern cool store includes a large open-air canopy for easy loading and unloading from trucks.
Why Britkin
We've been in your shoes.
We're straight with you.
We manage the whole project.
We build for the long run.
Frequently Asked Questions
Costs vary significantly depending on size, specifications, refrigeration system, insulation grade and site conditions. We provide detailed estimates based on your specific requirements. Contact us early and we’ll give you a realistic picture before you commit to anything.
Most projects run from six to twelve months from initial briefing to commissioning. We set out a clear timeline at the start and manage to it. Council consent timeframes are the most common variable, and we factor these in upfront.
Yes. We handle the full consent process including building consents and resource consents where required. Delays here are common on construction projects. We manage it proactively.
Yes. We regularly deliver extensions, capacity upgrades and refrigeration improvements to existing facilities. We can assess what’s working, what isn’t, and what’s worth keeping.
We work with trusted refrigeration contractors and advise on system selection based on your storage requirements, energy efficiency goals and maintenance preferences. We specify and oversee. We don’t cut corners on refrigeration because it’s the heart of the facility.
Start the Conversation
Planning a new coolstore or thinking about upgrading what you’ve got? Let’s talk.
Contact us or call us directly.