Rob Chambers, CEO of Americold Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: COLD), sat down for a video interview at Nareit’s REITweek: 2026 Investor Conference in New York, June 1-4.
Americold is entering a new phase of operational improvement through its “Fit for Purpose” initiative, a key 2026 priority aimed at enhancing customer responsiveness while driving greater efficiency across the organization. Chambers said the REIT is leveraging investments made over the past several years in technology, finance, and human resources to streamline operations and improve decision-making through better data and AI-driven insights.
“We're focused on leveraging a lot of the investments that we've made over the course of the last four or five years… to now find opportunities to become a more streamlined organization,” he said.
Chambers also highlighted Americold’s recently announced joint venture with EQT as a major strategic milestone. The partnership, which includes 12 facilities, raised more than $1 billion to strengthen the balance sheet, demonstrated the value of Americold’s assets through a 7% cap rate transaction, and created a platform for future development and growth alongside a long-term capital partner, Chambers explained.
“This gives us a great opportunity to do some of that development off balance sheet and through this joint venture, continue to grow with customers while also achieving our goal of strengthening our balance sheet,” he said.
Looking ahead, Americold sees multiple avenues for expansion. Organically, the company plans to deepen relationships with existing customers and pursue opportunities in adjacent temperature-controlled sectors such as grocery retail, quick-service restaurants, pharmaceuticals, floral products, and pet food. Chambers also pointed to significant geographic “white space” beyond Americold’s current footprint in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.