Case Study: Kubota AREA Air Conditioners Support Temperature Control at a Multifunctional Warehouse in Rayong, Thailand
RYOSHO (THAILAND) CO., LTD.
Katolec Thailand has installed Kubota AREA Air Conditioners in an approximately 2,000 m² temperature-controlled warehouse in Rayong, Thailand. This case study looks at equipment selection that balances storage space and air circulation, supported by proposals from RYOSHO Thailand.
Air-conditioned and temperature-controlled warehouses must maintain suitable temperatures to protect cargo quality while making effective use of limited storage space.
KATOLEC GLOBAL LOGISTICS (THAILAND) CO., LTD. (Katolec Thailand), based in Rayong, Thailand, installed Kubota AREA Air Conditioners through RYOSHO (THAILAND) CO., LTD. By combining high-volume airflow with a space-saving design, the company has equipped its temperature-controlled warehouse with an air conditioning system suited to its needs.
Katolec Thailand’s Multifunctional Warehouse: A First in Thailand
The Katolec Group operates two core businesses: logistics and electronics. In Thailand, it has logistics bases in Chonburi and Rayong, providing a broad range of services from warehousing and value-added logistics services to transport and distribution.
Opened in 2023, the Rayong warehouse combines four functions: general storage, temperature-controlled storage, chilled storage, and dangerous goods storage. Presented by the company as Thailand’s first multifunctional warehouse, the facility can accommodate cargo with different storage requirements at a single location.
The dangerous goods warehouse, in particular, is equipped to accommodate Thailand’s Class 3A dangerous goods, enabling it to meet specialized logistics needs.
Guided by its vision of supporting customers’ businesses rather than simply providing warehouse space, Katolec’s integrated services also help encourage customers to continue using its facilities.
Air Conditioning Challenges in a Temperature-Controlled Warehouse
The Rayong site has an approximately 2,000 m² temperature-controlled warehouse, where cargo is stored at 20–25°C.
When evaluating air conditioning options, the company identified several concerns with conventional systems.
Air Conditioner Types: Challenges in Warehouse Applications
| Air Conditioner Type | Main Challenge | Suitability for Warehouses |
|---|---|---|
| Floor-standing air conditioner | Takes up floor space | △ Lower storage efficiency |
| Ceiling cassette air conditioner | Risk of water leakage | △ Risk of cargo damage |
| Ceiling-suspended air conditioner | Insufficient airflow | △ Uneven temperatures |
| AREA Air Conditioner | High-volume airflow and air circulation | ◎ Uniform temperature control |
Warehouses need to maintain storage efficiency while ensuring temperatures suitable for the cargo. Taking these requirements into account, Katolec Thailand selected AREA Air Conditioners.
Kubota AREA Air Conditioners and RYOSHO’s Air Conditioning Design Proposal
The Kubota AREA Air Conditioners installed at the facility use powerful airflow to deliver cool air over long distances.
RYOSHO Thailand proposed equipment with the warehouse’s storage space and air circulation in mind, helping establish a suitable air conditioning environment.
Key Features of Kubota AREA Air Conditioners
- High airflow of up to 130 m³/min delivers cool air as far as 20 m away
- Powerful airflow circulates air to reduce temperature variations
- Slim wall-mounted or ceiling-suspended units leave floor space available for storage
- Inverter control provides high energy efficiency
In addition to delivering cool air across a large warehouse, the option to mount indoor units on walls or suspend them from the ceiling matched the facility’s need to prioritize storage space.
Growing demand for temperature control in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) also influenced Katolec’s decision. The company invested in air-conditioned warehousing to serve sectors such as electronic components and food-related products, where environmental control is essential to maintaining quality.
Results: Reliable Operation with a Limited Maintenance Burden
Since operations began in December 2023, no major air conditioning problems have occurred, and maintenance requirements have remained limited. Customers visiting the warehouse have also reportedly rated the air conditioning quality highly.
This project illustrates how selecting the right air conditioning equipment can address the warehouse-specific challenge of balancing temperature control with storage space. It has also attracted attention as the first warehouse in Thailand to install Kubota AREA Air Conditioners.
Consult RYOSHO on Air-Conditioned and Temperature-Controlled Warehousing in Thailand
RYOSHO Thailand provides factory and warehouse equipment solutions covering design and installation as well as air conditioning equipment sales. Companies facing any of the following challenges are encouraged to contact RYOSHO Thailand:
- Planning a new air-conditioned or temperature-controlled warehouse, or improvements to an existing facility
- Addressing uneven temperatures or inefficient air conditioning in a warehouse
- Making the most of available storage space
Interview Contributors
Katolec Global Logistics (Thailand) Co., Ltd.
Shigeki Terai
Managing Director
Keisuke Muramatsu
Sales Manager (ASEAN Area)
Teera Butgul
Assistant Manager
If you have warehouse temperature control challenges in Thailand or are interested in temperature-controlled or air-conditioned warehousing, please feel free to contact us using the form below.