Why Asset-Based Logistics Partners Like MRS Matter in Uncertain Times

Press Release: Midwest Refrigerated Services Announces Leadership Changes

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 15:08:10 GMT

Press Release

April 1, 2026

Midwest Refrigerated Services Announces Leadership Changes

(April 1, 2026) Elkhorn, WI – Midwest Refrigerated Services (MRS), a Midwest-based third-party logistics provider specializing in refrigerated transportation, warehousing, and value-added services, today announced a leadership realignment designed to support continued growth and strengthen operational execution across its integrated network.

As part of the transition, the role of President and CEO has been separated into two distinct positions. Mike Pokel will continue as Chief Executive Officer, focusing on long-term strategy, growth initiatives, and strategic customer relationships. The President role will lead day-to-day operations across the business.

“We have made the decision to split the current role of President / CEO into two separate positions,” said Mike Pokel, CEO of Midwest Refrigerated Services. “This change allows for more time to be dedicated toward exploring growth opportunities and developing the next generation of leadership within the organization.”

MRS has appointed Matt Pomeroy as President & Chief Financial Officer, effective April 1, 2026. Over the past five years, Pomeroy has strengthened financial discipline, improved operational visibility, and supported key growth initiatives, including new facility development.

“We believe we have the ideal candidate already in house,” Pokel said. “Matt has been instrumental in streamlining our financial systems and leading initiatives that improved efficiency across the business while supporting profitable growth.”

In his expanded role, Pomeroy will oversee operations across transportation, warehousing, and human resources, further aligning MRS’s integrated service model.

Additionally, Torye Marek has been promoted to Director of Finance, effective April 1, 2026. In her role as Controller, Marek has led improvements in financial operations, including reducing closing cycle time, implementing system upgrades, and strengthening reporting processes.

About Midwest Refrigerated Services

Midwest Refrigerated Services is a full-service 3PL provider offering refrigerated transportation, cold storage warehousing, and value-added services for the food industry. Headquartered in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, MRS operates an integrated network designed to scale with its customers as their needs evolve. Through its “Built to Scale” approach, MRS aligns infrastructure, technology, and operations to support long-term growth, guided by its commitment to Midwest Values . . . Nationwide Service.

Visit www.midwestrefrigerated.com for more information.

Press Contacts

Lucas Slowik

Marketing Specialist

lucas.slowik@midwestrefrigerated.com

414-238-9603

Event Media

Wasted Food, Wasted Planet: Why Food Waste Matters This Earth Day

lucas.slowik@midwestrefrigerated.com (Lucas Slowik) — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 17:48:20 GMT

Wasted Food, Wasted Planet: Why Food Waste Matters This Earth Day

Every April, Earth Day reminds us to think a little bigger than our everyday routines—to look at the impact we’re making on the planet and ask, “What can I do to help?”

At Midwest Refrigerated Services, we think one of the most powerful places to start is right in your kitchen.

The Big Problem with Food Waste

Did you know that up to 40% of the food produced in the U.S. is wasted each year? That’s over 130 billion pounds of food that ends up in landfills instead of on plates (USDA, 2023).

When food is thrown away, we don’t just lose the food—we lose everything it took to grow, transport, store, and prepare it:

Water (about 25% of our freshwater use)
Energy and fuel
Labor and packaging
And most importantly, we release methane gas when it decomposes in landfills—a greenhouse gas over 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide (EPA, 2023).

So yes—food waste is a climate issue, and Earth Day is the perfect time to talk about it.

How Food Waste Connects to What We Do

As a cold storage and transportation company, we see firsthand how much care goes into keeping food cold, clean, correct, and on time. From warehouses to trailers, the goal is simple: get food where it needs to be—fresh, safe, and ready to enjoy.

We believe food should be respected—not wasted. That’s why our operations focus on efficiency, safety, and dependability, ensuring products stay in top condition from farm to shelf.

But what happens after the food reaches homes, stores, and restaurants? That’s where we all come in.

Everyday Tips to Reduce Food Waste and Help the Planet

Whether you’re packing a lunch or stocking your fridge, here are 6 simple ways to make a real difference:

1. Plan meals, shop smart

Make a list, check what’s already in your fridge, and avoid buying in bulk unless you’ll use it all. Planning reduces impulse buys and food spoilage.

2. Understand food labels

“Best by” doesn’t mean “bad after.” Most dates are about quality, not safety. Learn the difference to keep good food from going to waste (NRDC, 2023).

3. Store food properly

Keep perishables visible and know what should go in the fridge vs. pantry. Use airtight containers, freeze extras, and rotate items (first in, first out).

4. Get creative with leftovers

Reimagine last night’s dinner into today’s lunch. Soups, stir-fries, wraps, and smoothies are great ways to use up what’s left.

5. Start composting

Even if you can’t eat it, composting keeps food out of landfills and turns waste into nutrient-rich soil. Many cities now offer curbside compost options—or try a home bin.

6. Support food rescue

Donate non-expired pantry items, volunteer at food banks, or use apps like Too Good To Go or OLIO to help redistribute food to those who need it.

This Earth Day, Let’s Be Part of the Solution

Reducing food waste isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being mindful—of our food, our resources, and our impact.

At MRS, we believe doing the right thing starts with small actions, whether it’s delivering refrigerated goods across the Midwest or encouraging a little less waste in your kitchen.

This Earth Day, we invite you to take one small step toward reducing food waste. Because when we all pitch in, the results aren’t just good for the planet—they’re good for each other.

Sources:

USDA, “Food Waste FAQs” – https://www.usda.gov/foodlossandwaste
EPA, “Sustainable Management of Food” – https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-management-food
NRDC, “Wasted: How America Is Losing Up to 40 Percent of Its Food” – https://www.nrdc.org/resources/wasted-how-america-losing-40-percent-its-food-farm-fork-landfill

Midwest Values . . . Nationwide Service

Press Release: Midwest Refrigerated Services Opens Regional Distribution Center, Optimizing Lactalis USA’s Midwest Logistics Network

lucas.slowik@midwestrefrigerated.com (Lucas Slowik) — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 22:14:49 GMT

Press Release

February 27, 2025

Midwest Refrigerated Services Opens Regional Distribution Center, Optimizing Lactalis USA’s Midwest Logistics Network

(February 27, 2025) Belvidere, IL – Midwest Refrigerated Services (MRS), Lactalis USA and Consolidated Construction Company cut the ribbon to officially open a 200,000-square foot distribution center in Belvidere, Ill. on Wednesday, Feb. 26. The facility, owned and operated by MRS, will optimize Lactalis USA’s Midwest logistics network to meet its current and future growth by operating as a central site to service all customers in the region. The distribution center sits on an 83-acre site that is served by Union Pacific Railroad and provides more than 36,000 pallet positions of refrigerated storage with state-of-the-art layer picking technology. This facility will receive product from ten Lactalis production facilities across the U.S. and several domestic co-manufacturer facilities, along with imported product from Europe. It’s MRS’ second location in the Belvidere market and creates 85 new jobs.

“The Midwest team is excited to add this new facility to our network, said Mike Pokel, President of Midwest Refrigerated Services. “We are humbled and honored by the confidence Lactalis has shown in selecting us for this important project. This state-of-the-art facility will anchor the Belvidere site and is a significant step forward in our growth plans. Special thanks to Mayor Morris and his staff at the City of Belvidere in supporting us throughout this process.”

Lactalis USA is a subsidiary of Lactalis, the world’s largest dairy company, headquartered in Laval, France with production facilities in 51 countries worldwide, and offers an unrivaled house of beloved brands in the U.S. including Galbani®, Président®, Kraft® brands in natural and grated cheeses, Stonyfield Organic® and others.

“Lactalis continues to grow in the U.S. and has added seven manufacturing locations since 2017,” said Sri Adapa, vice president, supply chain, Lactalis USA. “To accommodate this accelerated growth, we need an optimized logistics network with a location in the center of the country that increases our efficiencies and streamlines order fulfillment for our customers in the Midwest. This allows customers to receive a single shipment of products that originate from multiple production locations in the U.S., when it would have required multiple shipments in the past.”

Consolidated Construction Company, headquartered in Appleton, WI, and longtime partner of MRS, was the design-build contractor for this facility. “We have worked with Consolidated for more than 30 years and we certainly appreciate and value the partnership,” Pokel added. “They are integral to this project’s success and have worked diligently from beginning to end to help get us to this milestone within the communicated schedule.”

About Midwest Refrigerated Services

Midwest Refrigerated is a full-service third-party logistics provider serving the needs of the food industry. Operating out of (11) locations in WI, IL, and IA, MRS provides refrigerated storage, distribution, and value-added services as well as refrigerated and frozen LTL and TL transportation services. Visit www.midwestrefrigerated.com for more information.

About Lactalis USA

Lactalis USA is committed to enriching lives by producing nutritious and great-tasting dairy products. The company offers an unrivaled house of beloved dairy brands in the United States including Galbani ® Italian-style cheeses, Président ® specialty cheeses and gourmet butters, Kraft ® brands in natural and grated cheeses, Breakstone’s ® cottage cheese, ricotta and sour cream, Cracker Barrel ® cheese, Black Diamond ® cheddar cheese, Parmalat ® milk, Siggi's ® and Stonyfield Organic ® yogurt brands. In the United States, the company has approximately 4,000 employees and is present in eight states with 11 manufacturing facilities and corporate offices located in New York City and Buffalo, N.Y., Chicago, Ill., Bedford, N.H., and San Fernando, Calif. Lactalis USA is part of Lactalis Group, the world's leading dairy company, a French family business founded in 1933 in Laval, France.

About Consolidated Construction

Consolidated Construction Co., Inc. is based in Appleton, WI. and serves customers in the industrial, manufacturing, education, commercial, retail, multi-family, and healthcare markets. Our project delivery model has resulted in national awards for design/build ingenuity and cost reduction. Project information and company history can be viewed at 1call2build.com .

Press Contacts

MRS President - Mike Pokel

mike.pokel@midwestrefrigerated.com

Event Media

Site Timelapse Video

Called To Action: MRS Helps Deliver Goods to Florida

Wed, 11 Dec 2024 16:01:47 GMT

Delivering Relief to Florida Families in Need

(November 14, 2024) Milwaukee, WI – At Midwest Refrigerated Services, community is at the heart of everything we do. Recently, we had the privilege of helping transport 25 pallets of donated supplies from Chicago to families in Florida impacted by Hurricane Milton. This initiative, led by Colleen Christman and supported by the generosity of Sport Clips clients and community members across Illinois and Wisconsin, filled a critical need for essentials like clothes, baby items, food, and personal care products.

Our Midwest values guide us in serving both our customers and our communities. When Colleen reached out, we didn’t hesitate. We donated a semitruck and driver to help ensure these supplies made their way safely to Metropolitan Ministries in Tampa. This incredible organization is working tirelessly to distribute the items to families facing hardship—many of whom are seeking help for the first time after losing everything in the storm.

For us, stepping in to support this effort wasn’t just about providing logistics; it was about living our values and acting on our commitment to our communities. We’re honored to play a small role in a larger mission of support and resilience. As we continue to grow as a company, we remain dedicated to lending a helping hand where it’s needed most, especially during times of crisis.

Thank you to everyone who contributed, and a special thanks to Colleen and Sport Clips for sparking such an impactful effort. Together, we make a difference—one delivery at a time.

Media Inquires

MRS Marketing

Marketing

8501 W Brown Deer Rd

Milwaukee, WI 53224

414-238-9603

marketing@midwestrefrigerated.com

MRS Ranks in the 2024 GCCA North American Top 25 List of Refrigerated Warehousing and Logistics Providers

Tue, 23 Apr 2024 16:31:23 GMT

MRS Ranks in the 2024 GCCA North American Top 25 List of Refrigerated Warehousing and Logistics Providers

(April 23, 2024) Milwaukee, WI – Midwest Refrigerated Services (MRS) is thrilled to share an exciting milestone for MRS! In the latest release from the Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA), MRS has been ranked 22nd on the GCCA North American Top 25 List of the largest refrigerated warehousing and logistics providers across Canada, Mexico, and the United States . This prestigious ranking highlights our extensive capabilities in managing temperature-controlled logistics and underscores our significant footprint in the industry.

As of April 2024, MRS operates with a total capacity of 15,939,370 cubic feet of temperature-controlled space, a testament to our commitment to providing top-tier cold storage solutions. This capacity allows us to serve a diverse array of industries requiring precise temperature management, from food and beverage to pharmaceuticals.

The GCCA Top 25 List is a benchmark for the industry, showcasing leaders based on the total capacity of temperature-controlled space managed by GCCA Warehouse Members. Being included in this list is not only an honor but also a reflection of our steadfast dedication to excellence in cold chain logistics. It highlights our role in ensuring the integrity and safety of temperature-sensitive products throughout their journey.

This achievement is a collective effort, made possible by the hard work and dedication of every member of the MRS team. As we celebrate this achievement, we are motivated to continue pushing the boundaries of innovation and service in the refrigerated warehousing and logistics sector.

For more details on our services and how we can support your cold chain needs, contact us here . Join us in celebrating this significant achievement and stay tuned for more updates as we continue to expand and enhance our services to meet the growing demands of our customers.

Learn more about our cold storage solutions and how we can assist your business

Media Inquires

MRS Marketing

Marketing

8501 W Brown Deer Rd

Milwaukee, WI 53224

414-238-9603

marketing@midwestrefrigerated.com

Press Release: Midwest Refrigerated Services Breaks Ground on New Regional Distribution Center

Thu, 22 Feb 2024 15:58:07 GMT

Press Release

February 15, 2024

Midwest Refrigerated Services Breaks Ground on New Regional Distribution Center

(February 14, 2024) Belvidere, IL – Midwest Refrigerated Services (MRS) based out of Milwaukee, WI broke ground on their new regional distribution center in Belvidere, Illinois on Wednesday, February 14th. The new facility will be their second location in Belvidere following the opening of MRS’s first warehouse in the city in September of 2023. Upon completion, the operation will add 85 new jobs to Belvidere.

Scheduled to open in March of 2025, the fully racked 200,000 sq ft facility will provide over 40,000 pallet positions of refrigerated storage and will employ state-of-the-art layer picking technology. The 83-acre site is capable of expanding the warehouse footprint to over 1,000,000 square feet. The site is rail served by the Union Pacific Railroad.

“As a logistics provider, site selection is of utmost importance to provide our customers with the most cost-effective solution to their supply chain needs. Belvidere, and this site in particular, checks all the boxes” said Mike Pokel, President of Midwest Refrigerated Services. “We are appreciative of the efforts of Mayor Morris and his staff to make this day a reality. From our initial meeting on, we were welcomed and the challenges of meeting a tight timeline were achieved by their “can do” attitude and approach.”

Consolidated Construction based out of Appleton, WI has been contracted to construct the facility. “We have worked with Consolidated for over 30 years and we certainly appreciate and value the partnership. They are integral to this project’s success and have worked diligently to help get us to this milestone.”

About Midwest Refrigerated Services

Midwest refrigerated is a full-service third-party logistics provider serving the needs of the food industry. Operating out of (10) locations in WI, IL, and IA, MRS provides refrigerated storage and distribution related services as well as refrigerated and frozen LTL and TL transportation services. Visit www.midwestrefrigerated.com for more information.

About Consolidated Construction

Press Contacts

MRS President - Mike Pokel

mike.pokel@midwestrefrigerated.com