King Kullen, a Long Island-based supermarket chain, has announced the implementation of Facilio’s Connected Retail software platform, aimed at automating its refrigeration compliance management. This initiative is a strategic response to the imminent changes in regulations mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), notably under the AIM Act Emissions Reduction and Reclamation Regulations.
Basant Singhatwadia, the director of customer success at Facilio, highlighted the significant transformation of refrigerant regulations in the U.S., stating, “The U.S. is facing the biggest shift in refrigerant regulations since they were created in the late ’80s. This regulatory overhaul will cost refrigerant end-users hundreds of millions and introduce unprecedented legal obligations for sectors like convenience stores and supermarkets that previously weren’t impacted.” The implications of these changes necessitate that businesses not only adapt but also remain compliant to avoid costly penalties.
The Connected Retail platform is designed to facilitate comprehensive management of compliance processes for King Kullen. Singhatwadia emphasised that the platform eliminates compliance risks, empowering retailers with a sophisticated EPA and GreenChill-ready dashboard that simplifies tracking. King Kullen is recognised as a pioneer in sustainability efforts and one of the early participants in the EPA’s GreenChill program, noted for its proactive measures in minimizing refrigerant emissions.
Stanley Mitchell, Vice President of engineering, construction, and maintenance at King Kullen, underscored the benefits of the new system. “With Facilio, we now have full visibility across store assets, and the real-time alerts help us stay on top of events to mitigate any potential compliance risks,” he stated. Furthermore, Mitchell pointed out that the platform’s reporting and analytics features provide essential data-driven insights needed for timely decision-making, resulting in fully automated compliance processes. He also mentioned that the supermarket chain is already witnessing significant value from this technological deployment.
The integration of the refrigerant compliance management solution with Facilio's Computerised Maintenance Management System (CMMS) and Internet of Things (IoT)-based remote monitoring capabilities facilitates robust management of multi-site food-retail operations. Facilio’s expanding portfolio in the retail sector also includes partnerships with notable companies such as Tile Shop and Lunds & Byerlys in the U.S., as well as Robert Dyas in the UK, reflecting a growing trend towards the automation of compliance and operational practices in the industry.
Source: Noah Wire Services