Inside Refrigafreighters Cutting-Edge Cold Storage: How Ulti Group’s Dock Systems Deliver Seamless Efficiency
The Challenge:
Design a loading dock system that maximises thermal efficiency and operational flow for a brand-new cold storage facility.
The Solution:
An integrated suite of Ulti Group’s systems, including pit-mounted dock levellers, insulated sectional doors, dock shelters, and internal rapid doors, custom-fitted to Refrigafreighters’ specific workflow.
The Result:
A seamless, energy-efficient loading environment that preserves cold chain integrity and boosts logistics performance across the board.
At Ulti Group, we take pride in powering New Zealand’s most advanced logistics and cold chain operations. Our recent project with Refrigafreighters in Ruakura, Hamilton showcases the perfect harmony between high-performance products and smart facility design. This brand-new facility features an integrated suite of Ulti Group solutions – ensuring efficient, safe, and thermally controlled operations, day in and day out.
Refrigafreighters is known for their exacting standards in chilled and frozen logistics, with a reputation for delivering on both speed and product integrity. When they set out to establish their new Hamilton hub, the goal was clear: create a cold storage environment that supports fast, reliable movement of goods while maintaining strict temperature control – from truck to storage and back again. That’s where we come in.
As you approach the dock face, you’re greeted by a setup that’s both robust and refined. At the core are four pit-mounted hinge lip dock systems, installed flush within the structure. These dock levellers create a smooth, level bridge between the warehouse floor and the truck deck, allowing for forklifts and pallet jacks to operate efficiently and safely – no matter the vehicle height.
Behind each dock is out TH80 insulated sectional door, a high-performance 80mm-thick door that’s fully thermally broken. This means cold stay in, heat stays out, and energy waste is kept to an absolute minimum. Paired with our Endura dock shelters, which tightly seal around the back of the truck, this trio forms a critical barrier between internal and external environments. What’s unique about this setup is its workflow: the truck backs in and is sealed by the shelter before the internal door is ever opened. Only then is the TH80 door rasied and the dock leveller deployed – a method that not only preserves temperature but also reduces contamination risk and support hygiene compliance.
It’s a clean, logical process that removes unnecessary steps, reduces manual intervention, and streamlines every movement on the dock.
But this project wasn’t just about the loading bays. Refrigafreighters needed a solution for multiple operational scenarios. So, in addition to the dock face, we provided a ramp door access point – offering flexible entry for various vehicle types or alternate loading/unloading needs. Inside, a freezer high-speed door adds another layer of control between different temperature zones. This fast-acting door opens and closes quickly to minimise air exchange, helping maintain consistent internal conditions and lowering energy consumption.
Altogether, this suite of products doesn’t just tick boxes – it delivers a system that works for the people who use it every day. The simplicity of the process is part of its strength. By using intuitive, reliable components that integrate seamlessly, we’ve helped Refrigafreighters establish a workflow that’s faster, cleaner, and more energy-efficient – all while protecting the integrity of every pallet that moves through their doors.
Looking to outfit your facility with cold chain dock systems that work as hard you do? Reach out to Ulti Group today – and let’s design a solution tailored to your logistics needs, built for performance, and designed to last.