WesPak has long been on the leading edge of technology, with a proven commitment to modernization that helps us keep pace with evolving technologies. In 1986, we became one of the first companies in our region to fully computerize the control system of our entire cold storage operation, leading the way to such systems becoming commonplace in today’s modern storages.
In 1993, we built our eight precooling rooms based on the newly-released recommendations from the UC Research Facility – a design that set the standard for the treatment of grapes upon their arrival at cold storage facilities. Another innovation we implemented based on UC Research Facility recommendations was preconditioning – a process involving heaters, humidifiers and vent dampers that makes fruit ready-to-eat. From its original size of 2,000 square feet, our preconditioning room has expanded to 6,000 square feet, enabling us to precondition over 500 pallets at a time. Preconditioning is now a common practice performed in most of today’s modern facilities.
Other cold storage equipment includes:
- Computerized room controls for closer temperature variants
- High-capacity, forced-air rooms for faster cooling to optimum temperature
- Variable speed fan drives for optimum wind speeds and better energy usage
- Electric forklifts for a cleaner environment in rooms where minimal ozone levels are detected