Refrigerated and freezer storage providers are increasingly moving from traditional storage and distribution service providers to strategic partners with their customers to provide solutions based on their needs.
The model of "one size fits all" warehouse has passed. More specialized and customized warehouses for certain products or manufacturers will become the new trends.
However, this changing environment and changing customer behavior are often not realized by traditional service providers, causing them to lose business in the long run.
Based on interviews and market research, this study provided the strategic business model for Belgian food industry cold storage providers to attract new customers and better retain/serve existing customers.
The study thus identified the "ideal type" of Belgian cold storage service providers to survive in an industry characterized by fierce price competition.
Key success factors were identified based on their customer expectations and market trends.
By benchmarking the ideal type, this study showed how Belgian cold storage providers can evolve from the current situation to that ideal type.
