Kool Solutions India
Temperature-controlled facilities play a crucial role in various industries, including pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, logistics, and healthcare, by providing specialized storage and transportation solutions for perishable and temperature-sensitive goods. In India, with its diverse climate and challenging logistical conditions, reliable temperature-controlled facilities are in high demand to ensure the integrity and safety of sensitive products throughout the supply chain. Among the companies operating in this space, Kool Solutions India has emerged as a leading player known for its exceptional services and commitment to maintaining optimal temperature conditions for various products.
The company has established a strong reputation for its expertise in managing the cold chain, which encompasses a range of temperature requirements, including frozen and chilled storage conditions. One of the reasons why Kool Solutions India stands out as one of the best temperature-controlled facilities providers is its cutting-edge infrastructure. The company’s facilities are equipped with the latest technology, including advanced temperature monitoring systems, automated processes, and sophisticated security measures, ensuring reliable and efficient operations. Another key aspect that sets Kool Solutions India apart is its commitment to quality and compliance. The company adheres to strict regulatory guidelines, including Good Storage Practices (GSP) and Good Distribution Practices (GDP), and maintains a robust quality management system to ensure that products are stored and transported in accordance with industry standards and requirements.
Thereby, to understand what Kool Solutions India really stands for in India’s rapidly growing temperature-controlled facilities market, we interviewed Swapnali Bhanushali, the General Manager of the company.
- A Brief Overview of Kool Solutions India
Kool Solutions India operates in the emerging field of public refrigerated warehousing (PRW) and specializes in providing third-party storage and logistics services that are accurate, timely, and cost-effective for its customers. Established in September 2012, Kool Solutions aims to build and operate state-of-the-art PRWs in major Indian cities, catering to the storage needs of chilled/frozen foods such as fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, food enzymes, and pharmaceutical products. As part of the industry’s efforts to combat excessive food loss/wastage and ensure food security in India, Kool Solutions offers fully integrated cold chain solutions in collaboration with its transportation partners, who operate a network of refrigerated trucks across the country.
The facility utilizes barcode-generated data, which is stored on the cloud for more than 5 years, ensuring efficient data management and accessibility. Scheduled preventive maintenance is carried out to ensure the optimal performance of equipment and systems.
- How Well Positioned is Kool Solutions India?
Kool Solutions is strategically positioned to provide modern cold storage facilities for companies seeking to safeguard their brand value through a reliable cold chain. To achieve economies of scale and operational efficiencies, Kool Solutions is committed to constructing multiple temperature-controlled PRWs in India. Its first state-of-the-art PRW in Taloja, Mumbai, commenced operations in August 2017 with 6,000 pallet positions, 10 dock doors, a refrigerated dock, and six convertible rooms capable of holding temperatures between -29°C to +15°C. Phase 2 of the facility, with an additional 4,000 pallet positions, was opened in November 2019. The facility is certified by BRC (Grade A), URSA, and EIA, and employs a solar energy system that generates 30% of its electricity. It is equipped with online CCTV monitoring and manned by 24/7 onsite security guards, and adheres to CDC guidelines for COVID-19 prevention measures.
- Ownership Overview
Kool Solutions is a 50/50 joint venture between Samsara Capital Group of India and Spire Group Limited of Toronto, Canada. Samsara is a privately-held investment company based in Mumbai with expertise in real estate and land development throughout India, while Spire Group is a Canadian specialist in cold storage ownership and operation, boasting 36 years of unparalleled experience in developing cold storage facilities in North America, New Zealand, and Eastern Europe.
- How do you ensure quality and safety of products?
Kool Solutions’ storage facilities adhere to BRC Quality Standards, which include implementing a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) system. Kool Solutions ensures proper utilization of instruments through regular calibration, and has online temperature monitoring in place. Authorized personnel are able to operate the plant remotely, and alarm notifications are sent online as well as to designated personnel’s mobile devices. Kool Solutions follows a comprehensive cleaning and sanitization schedule, and the staff are trained to meet the highest standards. In case of power failure, Kool Solutions has power backup (DG) available.
- What are the temperature control measures and monitoring systems?
The refrigeration system used at Kool Solutions facility utilizes R717 as the refrigerant, which offers several advantages over other commonly used industrial refrigerants. Firstly, R717, also known as ammonia, is environmentally friendly as it does not deplete the ozone layer unlike Freon. Secondly, R717 has superior thermodynamic properties, resulting in lower electricity consumption compared to other refrigerants. Thirdly, R717 has a distinct odor, making it easier to detect leaks, thus enhancing safety measures.
The refrigeration system at Kool Solutions has been designed in compliance with ASHRAE 15, IIAR, and ASME standards. Automation has been incorporated in various aspects of the system to optimize performance, reduce electrical consumption, and improve safety. The system utilizes screw compressor packages from FRICK – Mycom, with screw blocks imported from Mycom, Japan. It employs a combination of booster and high-stage system for high efficiency, with a PLC-based compressor controller to control the capacities of the screw packages selected at -30°C evaporator temperature, with Siemens motor variable capacity control ranging from 100% to 10%. Additionally, there is an online system in place to control and observe parameters with SMS alerts (Net bitter) sent to responsible personnel.
Swapnali Bhanushali – General Manager
Swapnali joined Kool Solutions in June 2022, bringing with her over 20 years of experience in supply chain management. She has held various positions, including Customer Relationship Manager, National Delivery Operations, and Business Development Manager, before moving into the cold chain industry as Cold Chain Vertical Head for Transportation and Warehousing with a competitor. Swapnali holds an MBA in Supply Chain Management with Distinction from the Welingkar Institute of Management, Mumbai University, and a B.Sc. in Chemistry from the University of Mumbai. At Kool Solutions, Swapnali is responsible for sales and marketing management, as well as overseeing warehouse operations in Taloja.
