Nippon Access unveiled its newly constructed "Kuki Low Temperature Logistics Center" in Kuki City, Saitama Prefecture, on October 27th. The center was established in response to the growing demand for frozen foods and the limited space in existing refrigeration facilities, and will begin operations with orders placed from November 9th.
<Exterior view of the facility>
The facility is a three-story building with a total floor area of 17,299 m2, of which 6185 m2 is for chilled storage and 9838 m2 is for frozen storage.
In particular, the frozen storage area has a harsh working environment of -28°C, so in order to reduce manpower and improve efficiency, material handling equipment was introduced, and in order to combat global warming, the non-CFC refrigeration unit "NewTon" was introduced, and it was designed as a BTS (Build-to-Suit) type in collaboration with Takuyo.
Located approximately 4.6 km from the Tohoku Expressway's Kuki Interchange and a 15-minute walk from Higashi-Washinomiya Station on the JR Utsunomiya Line, the facility boasts excellent accessibility and is planned to become a logistics hub for the greater Tokyo area (Tokyo, Saitama, Chiba, and Kanagawa).
<Electric pallet rack for frozen storage>
<Vertical conveyors and transporters>
This logistics center employs a frozen-compatible automated warehouse system called "Case Shuttle," which handles a series of warehouse operations from receiving and storage to shipping. It allows for sequential dispensing by store or category. There are three vertical conveyors connecting the first and second floors, and three connecting the second and third floors.
The case shuttle has a storage capacity of approximately 13,000 cases, a transport capacity of 3000 cases per hour, and a shipping capacity of 2500 cases per hour. In addition, the entire first to third floors can store 50,000 cases of chilled goods and 210,000 cases of frozen goods.
In addition, they have introduced multi-carts equipped with PCs and label printers that have functions such as receiving inspection, picking, shipping inspection, location checks, and inventory management, as well as a DAS (Digital Assort System), WMS (Warehouse Management System), and a delivery vehicle tracking system.
<Newton units installed (box-shaped units with steps, a total of 6 units)>
As a feature unique to refrigerated and frozen warehouses, the facility employs natural refrigerants. "Newton," a first for Nippon Access, uses an indirect cooling system that cools CO2 with natural ammonia, resulting in extremely high energy efficiency. This high efficiency leads to reduced operating costs.
<High-performance air curtain (thermoshutter)>
<Birth>
To prevent temperature differences within the warehouse, a system has been implemented to block the entry and exit of warm and cold air, such as installing a horizontally blowing, circulating air curtain at openings. In addition, a rest room and a warming room have been provided in a location easily accessible from the work floor where workers can warm themselves up.
<Mr. Taguchi, Center Manager of Kuki Low Temperature Logistics Center (left)>
Satoshi Taguchi, head of the Kuki Low Temperature Logistics Center at Nippon Access's East Japan Sales Division, Saitama Branch, stated, "We have made it possible to maintain a temperature of -25 to -28°C using natural refrigerants, and we have also worked on reducing manpower by using case shuttles. Our strength lies in being able to provide stable logistics quality."
■ Facility outline
Name: Japan Access Kuki Low Temperature Logistics Center
Location: 215-4 Hara, Nishioowa, Kuki City, Saitama Prefecture
Access: Approximately 4.6km from Kuki Interchange on the Tohoku Expressway, 15-minute walk from Higashi-Washinomiya Station on the JR Utsunomiya Line.
Structure: 3 stories above ground
Docks: 5 large trucks, 16 4-ton trucks
Total site area: 17,521 m2 (approximately 5300 tsubo)
Total floor area: 17,299 m2 (Chilled storage 6185 m2, Frozen storage 9838 m2, Office 638 m2, Other 638 m2)
Operating dates: Orders placed on November 9, 2025, deliveries on November 10, 2025.
