USDA Certifies New Cold Chain Technology at South Florida Logistics Center

First-of-its-kind, eco-friendly process extends the shelf-life of perishables arriving through South Florida.

Coral Gables, FL (March 10, 2014) -- Flagler Global Logistics, formerly South Florida Logistics Services, today announced its South Florida Logistics Center has received United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) approval for a revolutionary treatment process for fruits, vegetables and other perishable items. The new technology allows for better management of the "cold chain" to extend produce shelf life and quality, while the Miami-based entry point of the South Florida Logistics Center decreases the amount of time the products are in transport.

Industry reports cite nearly $35 billion of perishable foods are wasted annually, with nearly half of those losses due to temperature changes experienced in-transit between the grower and the grocer. Flagler Global Logistics' new USDA-approved treatment process stabilizes the cold chain integrity by exposing fruits and vegetables to a more uniform temperature, vastly improving the quality of the products. Additionally, the new treatment's filtration system makes the process more environmentally friendly.

"This new technology is a game changer for exporters looking to bring their produce to supermarket shelves in the United States," said Chris Scott, President and CEO of Flagler Global Logistics. "With this cold chain infrastructure in place at the South Florida Logistics Center, our partners have a new gateway to the Southeast that allows them to get their product to market more quickly-adding at least a week or more to the product's shelf life. It's a true competitive advantage, aiding our economy's growth while saving exporters and grocers time and money."

The South Florida Logistics Center officially opened for business in October 2013. Located adjacent to the Miami International Airport, the 200-acre intermodal logistics complex offers world-class cargo handling including unprecedented multimodal transportation access, Foreign Trade Zone advantages and refrigerated cargo options.

The Logistic Center's first building, a 170,000-square-foot facility, is now fully operational including 60,000 square feet of refrigerated space.

With more than two million square feet of Class-A warehouse and distribution space at full build out, the South Florida Logistics Center offers flexible space options with existing space from 12,000 to 275,000 square feet and build-to-suit space. Conveniently located adjacent to the Miami International Airport with exclusive rail connectivity to PortMiami, Port Everglades and Florida East Coast Railway's intermodal yard, South Florida Logistics Center significantly reduces transit times and transportation costs for importers and exporters looking to reach end-users throughout Florida, the U.S.A., Latin America and the Caribbean. The Center also offers convenient access to all major highways, including I-95, I-75, Florida Turnpike, US 41 and US 27.

For more information about the South Florida Logistics Center, visit http://www.sflcmia.com, or to schedule a property tour, contact Chris Sutton, SIOR or Robert Richter at (305) 460-7270.

About Flagler Global Logistics
Flagler Global Logistics, formerly South Florida Logistics Services, is a worldwide logistics company that provides a full suite of integrated supply chain management services, including consolidation and deconsolidation, multimodal transportation, warehouse management, Foreign Trade Zone, and dry and refrigerated cargo services, as well as flexible real estate solutions. Flagler Global Logistics has exclusive connectivity to South Florida's busiest ports and airport, which provides clients a competitive advantage when importing and exporting goods. The Company owns strategic assets throughout Florida, including approximately 1 million square feet of warehouse space and additionally 1,500 acres of well-located developable land suitable for 24 million square feet of industrial development. Headquartered in Coral Gables, Fla., Flagler Global Logistics is a wholly owned subsidiary of Florida East Coast Industries, Inc. For more information, visit http://www.flaglergl.com.

About Florida East Coast Industries, Inc.
Florida East Coast Industries, Inc. (FECI) is one of Florida's oldest and largest full-service commercial real estate, transportation, and infrastructure companies. Headquartered in Coral Gables, Fla., FECI has a rich history dating back over a century. Mr. Henry Flagler first established a predecessor company in 1892, which became a pioneer in the development of Florida's eastern coast. Today, FECI continues to transform Florida as the parent company to four distinct business lines including Flagler, a full-service commercial real estate company; All Aboard Florida, the United States' first privately owned and operated intercity passenger rail system; Flagler Global Logistics, an integrated logistics company that offers a wide range of logistics services and real estate solutions; and Parallel Infrastructure, a leader in third-party Right of Way (ROW) investments and management services. FECI is owned by private equity funds managed by affiliates of Fortress Investment Group LLC. For more information, visit http://www.feci.com.

Media Contact:
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rbb Public Relations
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mary.sudasassi@rbbpr.com

This release was published on openPR.