Lautoka, Fiji - 2,400 m² Partitioned Modular Cold - Storage Warehouse
Project Basic Information
This case study documents a large-scale, partitioned modular refrigeration storage warehouse located in Lautoka, Fiji. The facility is designed to provide multiple temperature-controlled storage environments within a single integrated envelope, serving refrigerated, frozen, and specialty product categories under the demanding coastal conditions of Fiji's western coast.
As a modular installation, the warehouse is built from prefabricated, insulated panel packages that are assembled on site, allowing the internal layout to be divided into several independent temperature zones within one structure. With a total built area of 2,400 square metres, the project represents a substantial cold-chain investment for the Lautoka region and demonstrates a fully engineered approach to multi-zone refrigeration in a tropical, marine environment.
| Location | Project Type | Storage Area |
| Lautoka, Fiji | Large partitioned modular refrigeration storage warehouse | 2,400 m² |
| Temperature Zones | Compressor | Key Components |
| +2℃ refrigerated zone; +2℃ to −22℃ adjustable zone; −20℃ frozen storage zone; +18℃ wine storage zone | Bitzer (German brand) | Danfoss valves; Schneider relays and contactors; Siemens PLC |
| Insulation Panels | Anti-Corrosion Design | Delivery Status |
| Shanghai Baosteel high-grade corrosion-resistant steel panels | 0.6mm magnesium-aluminum-zinc coating; 316 stainless steel condenser and evaporator; IP56 electric control box; cadmium-free low-smoke submarine cables | Phase 1 completed August 2025; Phase 2 in progress, scheduled for delivery by end of April 2026 |
Customer Core Requirements
The Lautoka site lies directly on the coast, where high salt spray and high humidity place extremely high demands on the anti-corrosion performance of cold-storage equipment. In such an environment, conventional installations deteriorate quickly unless every component is specified for marine exposure. Against this background, the project must satisfy a set of demanding operational and durability requirements.
• Multi-zone temperature control: separate, independently controlled storage environments for refrigerated (+2°C), adjustable (+2°C to −22°C), frozen (−20°C), and wine (+18°C) products, so that different goods can be held under their optimal conditions within one building.
• Centralized monitoring: a single control interface for real-time management of all temperature zones, reducing the need for staff to move between separate machines.
• Corrosion resistance: materials and components selected for long-term durability in a salt-laden, high-humidity atmosphere, protecting the value of the investment over its service life.
• Operational reliability: a redundant refrigeration configuration that avoids single points of failure, so that a fault in one part of the system does not place stored product at risk.
• User-friendly maintenance: an English-language control interface with remote diagnostic capability, enabling local operators to run and service the plant without specialist presence on site.
Targeted Solutions
Kendall Refrigeration responded with an integrated, corrosion-resistant, multi-zone cold-storage solution rather than a collection of separate units. The design combines high-grade materials, proven international components, and a centralized PLC control platform, with every specification chosen for the coastal setting of Lautoka.
The envelope uses Shanghai Baosteel high-grade insulation panels with a 0.6mm magnesium-aluminum-zinc coating, selected specifically for corrosion resistance in a coastal environment. The refrigeration equipment itself is built from 316 stainless steel, including the condenser and evaporator, while the electric control box is rated IP56 to resist dust and moisture and internal circuits use cadmium-free low-smoke submarine cables. This all-round anti-corrosion design is intended to ensure long-term, stable operation despite constant exposure to salt spray and humidity.
Cooling is provided by a Bitzer compressor, a German-brand unit widely used in industrial refrigeration for its robustness and serviceability, supported by Danfoss solenoid and expansion valves, Schneider relays and contactors, and a Siemens programmable PLC control system. The refrigeration system is configured in a 1+1 backup arrangement, in which one operating circuit is paired with a standby so that the failure of a single circuit does not compromise storage conditions.
Control is delivered through Kendall's custom-produced electrical control system, which complies with IEC standards and features a clear English interface with fault diagnostic codes. A remote WiFi control system allows the plant to be monitored and operated from off site, supporting efficient maintenance and rapid fault identification without requiring continuous specialist attendance.
Quantified Results
The project has progressed through a defined two-phase delivery plan, allowing capacity to enter service progressively. Phase 1 — covering installation and initial delivery — was completed in August 2025. Phase 2 is currently in progress and is scheduled for delivery by the end of April 2026.
• 2,400 m² of multi-zone cold-storage capacity commissioned, with Phase 1 already in operation.
• Four distinct temperature zones maintained: +2°C refrigerated, +2°C to −22°C adjustable, −20°C frozen, and +18°C wine storage.
• Centralized remote monitoring of all zones through a single PLC interface.
• 1+1 refrigeration backup configuration in place for enhanced reliability.
• Anti-corrosion specification implemented across panels, heat exchangers, electrical enclosures, and cabling.
Once Phase 2 is delivered, the complete facility will provide stable, long-term operation in the coastal environment and stands as a reference installation for corrosion-resistant cold-chain infrastructure in the South Pacific region.
Project Execution, Installation & After-Sales Service
The project is being executed in two phases under Kendall Refrigeration's supervision. The engineering team is on site in Lautoka, working closely with the local installation team to ensure that all work is carried out in a standardized, efficient, and safe manner. Phase 1 installation and delivery were completed by August 2025. Phase 2 installation is underway, with final delivery scheduled by the end of April 2026. The phased approach allowed the client to begin using part of the capacity early, while remaining work proceeded without disrupting the areas already in service.
For after-sales support, the facility is equipped with Kendall's remote WiFi control system. The English-language interface and fault diagnostic codes allow operators to monitor performance, identify faults, and carry out efficient maintenance without requiring constant on-site specialist presence. This remote-support capability is especially valuable for overseas projects, where local refrigeration expertise may be limited and a rapid response from the supplier helps to reduce the risk of downtime.
