Author: Vince & Jenna Free

Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify In this episode, Hosts Vince and Jenna Free interview Vince Humphreys, Senior Construction Sales at Ahern Fire Protection about fire protection in cold storage construction. They discuss the history and background of Ahern, the different types of fire protection systems, and the importance of product classification and flu spacing. They also touch on the challenges of protecting different types of products and the impact of thermal issues in cold storage facilities. The conversation covers market trends in the controlled environment industry, the importance of working with trusted partners, and the legacy of honesty and teaching. The main market trends…

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Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify  In this episode of The Cool Times Podcast, hosts Vince and Jenna Free welcome the team from Weiland Doors, including Carl Weiland, Calvin Mueller, and Christina Sirek, to discuss the company’s recent growth and developments. They highlight Weiland Doors’ focus on meeting the specific needs of the cold storage industry, emphasizing the introduction of CS grade hardware. The team shares success stories and reflects on the company’s supportive and collaborative culture, emphasizing gratitude and teamwork. They also discuss their unique approach to celebrating successes and commend the Weiland Doors team for their dedication to excellence and customer satisfaction. Watch…

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Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify / RSS In this episode of The Cool Times podcast hosted by Vince and Jenna Free, they welcome Will Nelson, Principal Investment Portfolio Manager at BGO. Will discusses BGO’s focus on cold storage investments globally, highlighting their approach and motivation. He explains the process of partnering with localized development teams and the factors influencing project locations. The conversation delves into assessing viability and returns on investment, considering rising costs and market uncertainties. Will shares insights on the impact of macroeconomic factors like interest rates and the potential challenges ahead. He emphasizes the importance of humility, respect, and collaboration for newcomers entering…

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Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify / RSS In this episode of The Cool Times podcast hosted by Vince and Jenna Free, they welcome guest Colin Williams from Williams Company, a project manager in the cold storage industry. Colin discusses his company’s journey from its founding in 1920 to its recent resurgence in the cold storage sector. He highlights pivotal projects, including a major renovation for Cisco after a tornado, showcasing their ability to thrive in operational facilities. The conversation delves into industry dynamics, the importance of conferences like SIBA and GCCA, and the significance of Williams Company’s ESOP structure, emphasizing employee ownership and commitment to client…

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Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify / RSS In this episode of The Cool Times podcast, hosts Vince and Jenna Free sit down with guest McKenna Migas, Project EngineerProject Engineer at Fisher Construction Group to discuss her experiences in the construction industry. McKenna shares insights from her challenging yet exciting job site projects, highlighting the importance of confidence and boldness, especially for women entering the field. The conversation delves into the unique challenges of construction, including navigating limited space and managing diverse personalities. McKenna emphasizes the need for thick skin and a focus on the end goal, despite the noise and doubts that may arise along the…

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Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify / RSS In this episode of Cool Times Podcast, hosted by Vince and Jenna Free, Kathryn MacMillan, Director of Business Development at FCL Builders, joins the conversation to share her experiences and insights as a woman in the construction industry. Kathryn traces her interest in construction back to childhood experiences with architecture and construction-related activities. She discusses her role at FCL Builders and the company’s commitment to customer service and excellence in construction projects. Throughout the episode, Kathryn reflects on the challenges she has faced as a woman in a male-dominated field, emphasizing the importance of confidence, professionalism, and continuous learning.…

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Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify / RSS In this episode of The Cool Times podcast hosted by Vince and Jenna Free, they welcome guests Brandon Reeve, President at Applied Fabricators, Inc., and Andrew Bye, Director of Operations at Applied Fabricators, Inc. They discuss the growth and success of Applied Fabricators over the years. Brandon shares the history of AFAB, which began as a family business in 1984, focusing on sheet metal fabrication for commercial roofing. The conversation delves into AFAB’s three divisions: cold storage, commercial roof edge, and metal fabrication for glass and glazing contractors. Brandon and Andrew elaborate on AFAB’s commitment to rapid, responsive, and…

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Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify / RSS In this episode of the Cool Times Podcast, hosts Vince and Jenna Free welcome Peter Goffredo, VP of Operations at Frazier, for a discussion on the growth of Frazier in the material handling industry, especially in cold storage. They delve into Frazier’s product line, covering traditional manual warehouse racking to automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS).  Peter shares insights into the challenges and unique aspects of the industry, emphasizing its crucial role in supply chains. The hosts and Peter reflect on the close-knit nature of the cold storage community and share anecdotes about industry events. Tune in to learn…

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Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify / RSS In this episode of the Cool Times Podcast hosted by Vince and Jenna Free, the hosts reflect on the highlights and takeaways from 2023. They emphasize the importance of reflection and preparation for success in 2024. The episode features a special guest, Joe Jardine, a licensed marriage and family therapist and performance mindset coach. Joe shares insights on core values, the equation of wisdom plus activity equals identity, and the significance of a plan and self-talk system for success in the coming year. The hosts discuss the mindset needed for a breakthrough year in 2024 and share gratitude for…

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Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify / RSS Welcome to The Cool Times Podcast, hosted by Vince Free and Jenna Free, where they explore all things cool in the cold storage construction industry. In this episode, they are joined by Todd Jessup, the President of FLEXSPACE and Co-founder of FlexCold. The discussion revolves around innovative cold storage solutions, the challenges faced in the industry, and the growth of FlexCold. Todd discusses the inception of FLEXSPACE around 2014, focusing on introducing innovative technology like mobile racking into the U.S. market. He explains the benefits of mobile racking, including increased storage capacity and operational efficiency. Todd also talks about…

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Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify / RSS Welcome to The Cool Times Podcast, hosted by Vince Free and Jenna Free. In this week’s episode, the hosts sit down with Brian Lynch, the Executive Director of CEBA (Controlled Environment Building Association) and Executive Vice President in GCCA (Global Cold Chain Alliance). Together, they dive into the world of controlled environment building, discussing the history, mission, and impact of CEBA and GCCA. They explore the challenges and triumphs faced by the industry during the pandemic, emphasizing the resilience and dedication of its members. Brian shares his extensive background in association management, highlighting the unique journey that led him…

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Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify / RSS In this episode of The Cool Times podcast, hosts Vince and Jenna Free are joined by a special guest, Cory Singer, the Vice President of Business Development and Pre-Construction at FCL Builders. Cory shares his insights into the cold storage and industrial construction industry, discussing challenges, market trends, and strategies for managing growth. Corey discusses the booming demand in the warehousing and e-commerce sectors, emphasizing the lack of overbuilding and sustained demand in the market.Challenges in obtaining capital due to fluctuating interest rates and lending restrictions are discussed, posing potential difficulties in closing deals.Vince and Corey also explore the…

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