Last updated on March 28th, 2016 at 09:45 am
City Refrigeration Holdings Ltd., a global, privately owned facilities management company, is launching North American operations and has selected Jacksonville, Florida, as its U.S.-based headquarters.
City has leased 17,100 s.f. in Cypress Point Business Park on Jacksonville’s Southside, where it will house its operations center. Select members of City’s business development team, charged with the U.S. launch, already are in Jacksonville to help set up operations and recruit a senior management team.
“We want to launch our operations in the U.S. utilizing the knowledge and skills of existing employees and local talent,” said Gerry Phimister, City CEO. “In keeping with our company ethos, we will provide training and new opportunities to help develop our associates with greater skills for their personal development.”
According to City, one of its unique value propositions is its proprietary “multi‐skilling” programs that include cross-training engineers and technicians in multiple disciplines, while exercising controls over quality.
Phimister added that City also plans to build strong relationships with local vendors and has been in discussions with local officials and members of the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce since mid-2015
“We are excited to be here in Jacksonville. The city worked hard and was truly genuine in their desire to have us here. This is the right place for us to be, and people should be proud of their city leadership,” Phimister said.
U.S. move comes on heels of agreement with Southeastern Grocers
In December of last year, City was awarded a five-year contract with an additional five-year option for the provision of full facilities management services to Southeastern Grocers. More than 365 U.S. technical and administrative personnel will be employed as a result of the move.
“Southeastern Grocers is continually looking for ways to make our business more efficient so we can further invest into lower prices for our customers,” said Holly Angell, SVP of store development for Southeastern Grocers. “Our store maintenance team’s partnership with a global specialist, City Refrigeration, will provide us the opportunity to develop our talent, increase our technical skills, provide 24-hour support and help us serve our customers better across all of our stores, including Bi-Lo, Harveys and Winn-Dixie.”
City officials have said they plan on further U.S. expansion and that they have generated interest from other U.S. retailers.
City employs more than 12,500 people worldwide with offices in the U.S., U.K., Australia and Malaysia.
