RLS Logistics recently added Premier Refrigerated Warehouse in Fort Worth, Texas, as its newest warehouse partner and member of the RLS network of cold chain solutions providers.
The warehouse now will be known as RLS Premier, the companies said.
The addition gives frozen and refrigerated food manufacturers in the Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and other southern states access to the RLS network.
RLS Premier, a 3PL warehouse, brings more than 40 years of cold chain experience and a team of industry veterans. A leading cold storage warehouse for frozen and refrigerated foods in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, RLS Premier offers temperature-controlled warehousing, less-than-truckload shipping, tempering, cross docking, and other value-added services.
While RLS Premier currently is located in Fort Worth, it will be relocated to a newly constructed facility slated to open later this year in Burleson, the companies said. The new warehouse will more than triple RLS Premier’s storage capacity. In addition, the state-of-the-art facility will be cooled by way of an ALTA EXPERT Refrigeration System using non-ammonia, non-hazardous refrigerants, bolstering RLS’ sustainability initiatives.
“As a boutique cold storage warehouse, our team always strives to provide high-quality and personalized services for our customers,” said Ron Buford, president of RLS Premier. “We look forward to collaborating on transportation opportunities and enhancing our technology to serve our customers better. Partnering with RLS is a natural fit because we share the same principles and commitments for serving our customers. Additionally, RLS brings a wealth of knowledge and support for our growth strategy,"
Michael Black joins RLS Premier as vice president of business development, RLS said. Black brings more than 40 years of cold chain experience with the last 10 years as a regional director of a large national cold storage provider. Black and Buford previously partnered in several endeavors, including serving as past board presidents of the Tarrant Area Food Bank in Fort Worth, managing Texas Cold Storage together, and acting as board members of the IARW (GCCA), of which Buford currently is chairman.
“I am excited to be part of the RLS family business,” Black said. “RLS’ entrepreneurial approach to value-driven logistics and e-commerce solutions is a winning strategy. Similar to Ron and me, RLS creates long-standing partnerships with an eye toward tomorrow.”
RLS Premier’s addition supports RLS’ focus on becoming a top-tier network of regional family-owned, temperature-controlled warehouse providers. As a family-run business, RLS Premier holds similar values in operating: Responsive customer service, solid customer relationships, loyalty, and entrepreneurialism. RLS’ network provides an alternative to national conglomerates for expansion-minded food manufacturers.
“Premier’s achievements prove its commitment to preserving relationships with its customers,” said Russell Leo, CEO of RLS Logistics. “This makes them an ideal complement to our network of top regional family run cold storage providers.
“Our future together is bright, and we welcome them to our family.”
