Ayala-controlled AC Logistics Holdings Corp. said it expects to open an automated cold storage and distribution facility in Quezon City by February 2028.

Cold chain infrastructure underpins the handling of temperature-sensitive goods — fresh produce, meat, seafood, dairy, frozen foods, and pharmaceuticals — where lapses in temperature control translate directly into spoilage and losses for producers and retailers.

In a statement issued over the weekend, the company said it recently broke ground on the site, which is being developed in partnership with Glacier Megafridge, Inc. (GMI). The facility will operate under the name Green Rise Engineered Cold Chain Logistics (GRECO). With groundbreaking complete, the project now moves into construction, with the February 2028 opening the next major milestone to track.

Once completed, GRECO is set to provide about 25,000 automated pallet positions and will be powered by an Automated Storage and Retrieval System, in which computer-controlled cranes and shuttles handle pallet placement and retrieval within high-density racking.

"This automation enables high-density storage, real-time inventory visibility, and faster order fulfillment while minimizing manual handling in temperature-controlled environments," AC Logistics said.

The company added that the facility is also expected to enhance throughput, inventory accuracy, and workplace safety.

"Through investments in modern, strategic infrastructure, we are strengthening the country's cold chain network and enabling businesses to move products more efficiently, reliably, and sustainably," AC Logistics President and Chief Executive Officer Erry Hardianto said.

GRECO will sit near EDSA and the North Luzon Expressway, a location expected to improve access to Metro Manila's retail, food service, and distribution networks while linking the facility to production centers across Central and Northern Luzon.

The development plans to use natural refrigerants, supporting the transition to low-emission cooling technologies, according to AC Logistics, which holds an % stake in GMI. Natural refrigerants such as ammonia and carbon dioxide have significantly lower global warming potential than the synthetic hydrofluorocarbons traditionally used in industrial cooling.

"The development is being designed with a staged renewable energy strategy that includes energy-efficient facility systems, future rooftop solar installations, and opportunities to source renewable power through available green energy programs," the company said.

AC Logistics said it hopes to build a comprehensive logistics ecosystem across five key product pillars: international freight forwarding; air cargo; operations; contract logistics and national distribution; cold chain solutions; and project logistics.

On Friday, shares of Ayala Corp. declined 0.18%, or P1, to close at P540.