Lathrop, California / Syndication Cloud / September 8, 2025 / Conexwest
More than just a steel cube that’s designed to go from A to B and back again, there are various applications of customized refrigerated shipping containers for purposes beyond shipping—especially for on-site cold storage of fresh and seasonal produce, meats and seafoods; chemicals; medications and vaccines; and other perishable items.
Today, refrigerated containers provide many businesses with the flexibility to adapt to changing demands while maintaining quality and compliance. But before you commit to one, it’s worth understanding what sets these units apart and how to select the right one for your needs.
How Are Refrigerated Shipping Containers Used Today?
The shipping and storage of perishable goods is now a massive industry in the United States and the globe. As Grand View Research recently reported, North America remains the world’s largest cold chain logistics market in a global industry currently worth over $160 billion and expected to rise to $428 billion by 2020.
As the market grows and as standards for cold storage and shipping precision rise ever higher, more businesses are looking to improve the way they store and handle their goods, and many of them are finding refrigerated shipping containers.
Today, a range of industries and businesses, including those in hospitality and food service, agriculture (both farming and fisheries), medicine, industrial production, logistics, and more, have seen that these containers can offer a great deal of practicality and flexibility as an on-site cold storage solution.
The Key Benefits & Features
Refrigerated shipping containers offer businesses a flexible and cost-effective alternative to permanent cold storage facilities. Unlike fixed installations, these modular units can be easily deployed on site, relocated when needed, and scaled up or down to match seasonal demand. Their adaptability makes them ideal for businesses with changing storage needs or those operating from leased properties, eliminating the expense and complexity of constructing permanent cold rooms.
In addition to convenience, refrigerated containers deliver advanced features to ensure optimal product preservation. They support a wide temperature range, offer precise climate control and can accommodate ultra-low temperatures for sensitive goods like pharmaceuticals. Many units also include high-performance insulation, backup power units and remote monitoring capabilities for enhanced reliability and safety. These benefits make refrigerated containers a way to ensure quality and compliance while reducing operational costs.
A spokesperson for Conexwest, a provider of custom shipping containers, said, “These containers are specifically designed to meet the temperature requirements of sensitive and perishable goods like vegetables, medicines, fruits, vaccines, etc. Their built-in cooling system works tirelessly to ensure your goods stay fresh throughout the storage period. They also have other features like precise temperature control, monitoring, power backup, and more.”
What’s The Cost Of Getting Cold Storage Wrong?
While cold storage is a big and fast-growing industry, on the other side of the coin, costs run steep when mistakes are made.
As Conexwest’s spokesperson added, “When shipping or handling perishable goods like fruits, vegetables, meat, and delicate pharmaceuticals, many things can go wrong without care and the proper storage equipment. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), up to 45% of fresh produce is lost or wasted during harvesting, packaging, and transportation.”
This is why it is essential that businesses not only pick a quality container, but observe some key considerations, especially size, power options and the condition of the container—new, used, or refurbished. The right size ensures optimal temperature stability and energy efficiency, while power sources, including generator backups, matter for sites without reliable electricity.
Businesses should also think about their cargo’s storage classification: some products, like grains, nuts, or sensitive pharmaceuticals, may require specialized features or customizations such as partitions, vents, shelving, or enhanced insulation. Choosing a container that meets these technical and operational requirements helps safeguard products and ensure a cold storage solution remains reliable and adaptable over time.
By choosing the right refrigerated container, your business can secure a reliable, cost-effective cold storage solution that adapts to your needs today—and scales with you tomorrow.
Conexwest
17100 S Harlan Rd
Lathrop
California
95330
United States
