About Viking Cold Solutions

Viking Cold Solutions makes the world’s cold storage systems more efficient.

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Thermal Energy Storage™
Efficiency, Flexibility, Resiliency Across the Global Cold Chain

Viking Cold Solutions is a thermal energy management company focused on making the world’s refrigeration and cold storage systems more efficient, flexible, and resilient. Expanding rapidly through the U.S, and internationally, Viking Cold provides environmentally friendly Thermal Energy Storage technology that is proven to significantly reduce operational costs and business risk for cold storage facilities, supermarkets, and restaurants with refrigeration-based energy loads. With deep expertise in cold storage energy management, supermarket energy efficiency, as well as resiliency for pharmaceuticals and other high value products, Viking Cold Solutions understands the business and operational challenges faced throughout the global cold chain and is committed to delivering clear and impactful benefits for both our clients’ businesses and the planet.

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Our History

The origin of Viking Cold’s Thermal Energy Storage (TES) in freezers came from the need for improved energy efficiency and food protection in the low-temperature cold chain. Starting with frozen shipping containers, Paul Robbins, our founder, developed a method of combining Phase Change Materials (PCM), intelligent controls, and monitoring software which could integrate with existing refrigeration systems across the cold chain and patented that innovation.

In 2011, with a patented and proven solution borne of operational necessity, Paul established Viking Cold Solutions, Inc. in Jacksonville, Florida, a shipping and logistics hub.  He quickly recognized the opportunity beyond shipping containers and applied the technology to cold storage warehouses in Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, and Bermuda, where electricity rates were high and the environment and temperatures very demanding.

In 2012, Viking Cold was expanding in the continental U.S. market and by early 2013 had developed new clients in cold storage and supermarkets, as well as new partners and financing to drive this expansion. The company relocated to Houston, Texas, to be positioned more centrally in the supply chain and to more easily access a growing list of global clients.

Over the next few years, Viking Cold completed multiple third-party validation studies for numerous utilities, the DoE, DoD, and the California Public Utilities Commission, amongst others. These studies, combined with a decade long track record of strong results and client satisfaction, confirmed TES technology’s benefits, earned acceptance and incentives from numerous entities, and helped to successfully deploy TES technology from coast to coast.

Currently, the company’s technology is being installed in cold storage warehouses, supermarkets, restaurants, sensitive product storage, and food processing facilities throughout the U.S., Latin America, the Caribbean, Australia, Europe, and Asia.

Viking Cold Solutions’ innovative TES technology has won numerous industry awards and is transforming the energy efficiency of the cold chain while protecting the world’s food supply and reducing the carbon footprint of the food industry and refrigeration around the globe.

Energy Savings For Our Customers:

 
kWh

Viking Cold has saved clients tens of thousands of MWh, reduced carbon footprint by tens of thousands of metric tons, and mitigated over $16M of product loss. Efficient installation processes ensure that systems are installed with no significant impact on ongoing operations, and industry-leading technology delivers outstanding cost savings and environmental benefits, with a swift return on investment.

Meet the Viking Cold Leadership Team

Paul V. Robbins
Paul V. Robbins
Founder & Chairman

Paul is a serial entrepreneur who over his 51-year career has founded, operated, and exited numerous businesses. Paul’s companies were cold chain and logistics focused and ranged from trucking companies, cold storage warehousing, international ocean shipping, and cold chain technology.

He was President & CEO of Caribbean Shipping Services, Caribbean Cold Storage, JT Transportation, and Triad Terminals. Paul also serves on the boards of Isla Frio Refrigeration Company, Hunger Fight, and CoPassion.

Paul lives in Jacksonville, Florida, with his wife Julie. They have 4 children, 7 grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild.

James M. Bell Jr.
James M. Bell Jr.
President & CEO

James has over 30 years of experience building and leading high performing teams in energy services, finance, and the U.S. Military. He is a recognized expert in energy storage and the cold chain.

With leadership roles in several global companies, James helped create value in the private and public markets and took numerous companies through the IPO process.

James graduated from Texas A&M University and deployed for over a decade around the world as a Marine Pilot and Forward Air Controller. He worked in finance and investment banking on Wall Street and earned a joint TRIUM MBA from NYU Stern, HEC School of Management in Paris, and the London School of Economics.

He currently lives in Houston with his wife Kimberly where he serves on the boards of the Houston Symphony, the Houston Food Bank, and the Hope and Healing Center and Institute.

Richard “Rich” Sadowsky
Richard “Rich” Sadowsky
Chief Technology Officer

Rich is a results-oriented, innovative technology expert with a track record of leveraging disruptive, emerging technology to drive business success. He excels as an executive communicator, dedicated team member, mentor, prolific inventor, and strategic thinker.

With a history of launching successful products in robotics, IoT, machine learning, and other emerging technologies, Rich stands out as a versatile polyglot programmer, team builder, and architect who delivers high-quality systems in a timely and cost-effective manner.

Rich’s notable technology achievements include Computerworld’s Premier 100 IT Leaders recognition, dual reception of the Symantec CEO Star award, co-invention of the featured home social robot Jibo, and securing US patents for his innovative work in desktop, cloud, and affective computing.

Rich lives in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, and is a lifelong musician and music fan. He and his life partner, Sue, are dedicated dog lovers who have rescued several dogs and provided them with their forever homes.

John Savage
John Savage
Vice President of Sales

John has 30 years of technical sales experience delivering engineered solutions to customers in the Energy and Food Equipment industries. He has 15 years of Sales Director experience managing teams of technical salespeople and application engineers.

John’s management approach is to adopt lean principles in the sales organization allowing data-based decision making, increasing order volume and flow, while efficiently scaling up the business. He has 20 years of international experience including multi-year expat assignments in Asia and Australia.

John graduated from Clarkson University in New York with a degree in Interdisciplinary Engineering & Management.

He lives in Houston with his wife, Katrina, and teenage daughter, Emilee.

Zane Corbin
Zane Corbin
Director of Sales

Zane brings sales leadership, international business development, and brand marketing from his 20+ years of professional experience in renewable energy, midstream oil and gas, and industrial marketplaces.

He is a strategic solutions provider to the many clients he has served throughout his career, and he is always leveraging his knowledge and vast network to make the world a better place.

Zane received his Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A&M University in Industrial Distribution and earned his MBA from University of Houston.

He lives in Keller, Texas, with his wife and 2 daughters – who are both very active in the swimming community.

Bill Stallings
Bill Stallings
Director of Sales

Bill has served in numerous sales leadership positions during his 40+ years in transportation and logistics, providing ocean transportation, trucking, and stevedoring services for clients in retail, manufacturing, frozen foods, and 3PL markets.

His experience and network of contacts has allowed him to help clients – both large and small – build highly dependable and cost-effective transportation programs across the United States and internationally.

Bill received his Bachelor of Science degree from The College of Charleston and has continued his education through various programs offered by The Harvard School of Business, University of Chicago Booth School of Business, Dale Carnegie, and Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits programs.

He lives in Jacksonville, Florida, with his wife Christina, where they raised their 2 daughters and have very recently been blessed with their first grandson!

Roger Ansted
Roger Ansted
Principal Engineer

Roger possesses 40 years of expertise in the areas of refrigeration, refrigeration controls, and building automation.

His professional career encompasses a broad range of leadership roles such as Project Engineer, Chief Engineer, and Engineering Manager, in various manufacturing and contracting companies. His extensive knowledge and contributions to these fields have culminated in eight awarded patents.

Roger holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Ohio State University and is a proud buckeye. He makes it a point to return to his home state, Ohio, every summer.

Board Of Directors

The Viking Cold Solutions board is comprised of prominent industry executives. The board collectively has over one hundred years of relevant industry leadership and actively promotes our company’s market advantage.

Paul Robbins

Founder and Chairman, Viking Cold Solutions.
Former President Caribbean Shipping

Don W. McGeorge

Former President and COO The Kroger Co.
Family of Stores (NYSE: KR)

James Bell

President and CEO, Viking Cold Solutions.
President Liberty Venture Group LLC

Steven Webster

Founder and Co-CEO,
Avista Capital Partners

Hank Bonar, II

CEO, Bonar Engineering & Design

Jonathan Fairbanks

Founder & Managing Partner, GEC

Join Our Team

Viking Cold Solutions is looking for energetic talent to join our team and be part of our success.

Related Posts From Our Blog
Viking Cold Solutions Wins AESP Energy Award

Left to right: Jen Szaro, James Bell, Rebecca Troutfetter Viking Cold Solutions is recognized by the Association of Energy Services Professionals’ (AESP) inaugural Innovations in Demand Flexibility award today at their annual conference in San Antonio, Texas.  The award was received by James Bell, Viking Cold Solutions’ President and CEO, and presented by Jen Szaro, President & CEO of AESP, and Rebecca Troutfetter, Vice President of Engineering & Corporate Impact at CLEAResults. AESP, a leading industry trade group advancing the energy industry, introduced the Innovations in Demand Flexibility award this year.  This competition for the award spanned various demand flexibility programs, such as renewable energy projects, distributed energy resource programs, demand response initiatives, microgrids, decarbonization efforts, and electrification programs. Viking Cold Solutions' Thermal Energy Storage (TES) technology consistently achieves positive impacts on business operations, the electricity grid, and the environment.  Beyond its energy demand management and electrical efficiency achievements, TES helps address critical issues like food waste and food insecurity by better preserving food quality while also conserving electricity.  Additionally, TES's unique ability to store and more efficiently utilize renewable energy assists with efforts to accelerate the decarbonization of the power grid, contributing to a more sustainable energy landscape.  Viking Cold Solutions monitors all sites 24/7/365 to ensure clients’ peace of mind, and all parties can view performance metrics and historical data through the cloud-based portal. Some examples of demand flexibility and efficiency include the deployment of Viking Cold’s innovative energy technology in regional food banks from coast to coast which resulted in quantifiable and meaningful positive impacts.  By reducing energy costs, TES technology provides hundreds of thousands of additional meals to Americans suffering from food insecurity. This further demonstrates Viking Cold's commitment to addressing energy and environmental challenges while creating a positive economic and social impact through practical local initiatives. Viking Cold Solutions builds lasting partnerships with our clients and stays engaged throughout the life of facilities with ongoing data collection, optimization initiatives, and utility incentive programs.  Through these initiatives, TES technology has saved over 44 million kWh of electricity, avoided over 34 thousand tons of GHG emissions, and earned millions of dollars in incentives for our clients. For further details on the AESP Energy Awards, please visit AESP. To learn more about Viking Cold's technology and how it can reduce energy consumption to enhance the sustainability of cold storage facilities, reach out to Viking Cold today!

Frozen Food Month: The Path to Growing Sustainably

In recent years the popularity of frozen food has steadily increased in the United States.  However, during the pandemic, frozen food experienced a surge in demand.  The Food Institute reports that frozen food sales increased by 21%, with the pandemic serving as a major contributing factor to this growth.  The pandemic-induced lockdowns and social distancing measures led to significant changes in people's eating habits, and many turned to frozen foods for their convenience, long shelf life, nutritional value, and ability to be stored in bulk. Source: Quartz Despite a steady increase in dollar sales, unit sales of frozen food fell in 2021 and 2022 by 3.2% and 5.1%, respectively, highlighting the potential impact of inflation on frozen food costs, reported the Food & Beverage Insider.  Notwithstanding these declines, unit sales are still higher than they were before the pandemic, demonstrating that the demand for frozen foods remains strong – in part thanks to millennials who have now become frozen food’s largest consumers. According to the Food Navigator, older millennial shoppers, who are approaching the age of 40, represent 48% of the consumers of frozen foods.  This generation prioritizes health and wellness and values a wider range of culinary options that use premium ingredients with fewer additives and preservatives.  Alongside nutrition, they also demand convenience and sustainability in their food choices.  With over 3,700 options in the frozen food section, there is something for every taste and lifestyle, notes the National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association. The growing popularity of frozen food has led 29% of consumers to expand their freezer space since the pandemic began, reported the American Frozen Food Institute.  As demand for frozen food products increases, retailers are seeking ways to optimize their freezer sections while also reducing energy consumption for higher quality and more efficient frozen food storage.  Companies like Viking Cold Solutions are helping retailers and distributors to not only improve the efficiency of their cold storage system by up to 50% but also increase facility resiliency.  These advancements indicate a promising and sustainable future for frozen food. With all the demands on consumers’ lives, the greater convenience and quality of frozen foods meet a growing priority.  The frozen food industry now has innovative new technologies to sustainably address consumers’ needs while reducing energy costs.  Given the challenges of inflation and an unstable economy, it will be interesting to observe the further developments of frozen foods and cold storage technologies over the next few years. Learn more about Viking Cold’s sustainable Thermal Energy Storage technology here.

Houston Food Bank Will Feed More with Energy Savings

The Houston Food Bank distributes over 158 million meals every year to people struggling with hunger.  With the help of more than 1,600 community partners to combat hunger and food insecurity, the Houston Food Bank provides individuals with food assistance as well as programs and services targeted at achieving long-term food stability. According to the Houston Food Bank, around 1 million people in southeast Texas are food insecure – 1 in 7 people face hunger as well as 1 in 5 children.  Following the pandemic, food insecurity and unemployment increased dramatically.  53 million people sought assistance from food banks and neighborhood programs in 2021 to put food on their table. To help manage energy costs, the Houston Food Bank is partnering with Viking Cold Solutions and plans to install Thermal Energy Storage (TES) technology in their temperature-controlled facilities.  TES systems are a cost-effective way to store and manage the large amounts of energy required by refrigeration equipment in cold storage facilities. Developed and patented by Viking Cold, the TES system will reduce electrical consumption and demand during peak energy usage hours inside the Houston Food Bank’s cold storage warehouse and will improve temperature stability inside their freezer.  Cold storage facilities, such as frozen food warehouses, have the highest energy demand per cubic foot of any building.  During peak energy use periods, they can account for up to 70 percent of the total electricity bill for organizations. The TES system's energy savings will enable the Houston Food Bank to offer thousands of additional meals every year and feed more people.  Viking Cold’s partnership will help the Houston Food Bank better manage its energy usage by providing cutting-edge technology that will benefit the organization and support its mission for many years to come. Viking Cold Solutions has partnered with food programs across the United States as part of the Feeding America network, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization.  For more information about Viking Cold Solutions’ Thermal Energy Storage systems, click here.

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