Scardina Refrigeration & Master-Bilt Partner to Meet a Large-Scale Challenge

For nearly 40 years, Master-Bilt and Baton Rouge, LA-based Scardina Refrigeration, sellers of restaurant equipment and supplies, have been teaming up to produce walk-in coolers for a vast array of projects. The relationship remains strong today as the two refrigeration suppliers embark upon their largest joint project together to date.

During the summer of 2002, Louisiana’s Department of Agriculture realized a need for a central Baton Rouge warehouse to serve as a distribution center for refrigerated commodities. From this warehouse, goods would be delivered to local government agencies like public schools, correctional facilities, wildlife and fishery and several other arenas. The Department’s previous distribution system had been using smaller walk-ins scattered across the state. The cost to have numerous shipments delivered to numerous different facilities each day was too high, and the quantity of lost product was problematic. A large space for refrigerated food storage would provide the Department buying power and the ability to stock up on products for emergency situations.

The new unit was to measure 253-ft by 228-ft by 20-ft tall, with five different compartments within. Although Scardina had collaborated with Master-Bilt on walk-in coolers for nearly 40 years, even completing smaller projects for the Department of Agriculture, Scardina Refrigeration

Together, Scardina Refrigeration and Master-Bilt worked for nearly a year to produce an answer to the Department’s specification sheet. With help from Bryon Hum, architect at STBP Architects, the team worked together for over a year to provide a real-life solution to the Department’s specification sheet and requests. Master-Bilt and Scardina had to work from the inside out to provide a custom interior, fulfilling the Department’s needs. A floor plan illustrating the different size panels was created, varying in width and length for the different compartments within the structure. The roof panels had to lock into place with the side panels in order to maintain structural integrity. In addition, due to the size of the warehouse, the steel pallet racks that furnish the inside of the space also supported the paneling, as well as the roof. The cam locks hooked the receptacle to lock into place, creating a joint seal.

The scope and magnitude of this project shows the dedication and teamwork between two established partners. The Department of Agriculture, Master-Bilt and Scardina began work on this central refrigeration warehouse in Baton Rouge, LA in the summer of 2004.