CASE STUDY OVERVIEW
When a power outage strikes a cold food storage location, every minute without electricity can mean lost sales, spoiled inventory and erodes trust from consumer. For this national specialty grocer, this could mean food loss costs of $10,000 to $100,000+, depending on the outage duration. As a result, maintaining uptime is critical.
To achieve that, they partnered with Power Temp Systems (PTS), leveraging its Quick Connect Docking Panels to simplify and accelerate backup-power connections.
THE CHALLENGE: MINIMIZING DOWNTIME DURING GENERATOR SERVICE
Even with backup generators onsite, retail facilities often face complications when the generator must be taken offline for maintenance or testing. Onsite generators require maintenance (often unplanned), and they do not provide a mechanism to connect to backup power when the generator is down for service. Traditional temporary power systems require onsite electricians and manual rewiring, which introduce delays at the worst possible time. A delay of even two to four hours can translate into tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost perishables or sales.
INTEGRATED SOLUTION
PTS’ Generator Docking Stations are engineered specifically for rapid, reliable generator connection. Key features include:
Cam-Lok™ docking stations, a proprietary design that enables easy plug-in of portable or service generators, without complex rewiring.
Smart T-slot input/output bussing for flexible sizing, superior temperature-rise characteristics, and user-specified conduit entry (top-in/bottom-out, etc.).
NEMA 3RX powder-coated aluminum enclosures, UL 891 certified, OSHPD/seismic rated, built to NEC 70, NFPA 70B and OSHA 70E standards.
Configuration for load bank testing, paralleling multiple power sources for increased reliability.
Installer-friendly design aimed at reducing wiring time, simplifying connections and improving maintenance workflows.
These national specialty grocery stores are large in size and carry a high inventory of cold-stored food. As a result, they are ideal for plug-and-play generator connection during outages. PTS’ solution aligned perfectly with their operations: quick to connect, code compliant, and designed to maximize facility uptime.
IMPLEMENTATION: SEAMLESS ROLL-OUT VIA DISTRIBUTOR AND INSTALLER NETWORK
PTS worked closely with its sales rep network and affiliated installers to deliver the docking stations into the national specialty grocer’s facilities with minimal disruption. With lead times of 16-20 weeks, and two manufacturing locations (one in Houston, another in Louisiana), reduced shipping (from 4 days to 3), the roll-out stayed on schedule. The modular design allowed each store’s installer to “plug in” a portable generator quickly when needed without waiting for specialized electricians.
THE OUTCOME: RELIABLE UPTIME AND SIMPLIFIED SERVICE
The results speak to the strength of the solution. Across the equipped locations, the specialty grocer realized:
Restored power in minutes instead of hours when generator service occurred
Maintained 100% uptime during maintenance windows for standby generators
Simplified installation and service workflows for distributors and installers
Ensured compliance with electrical codes while enabling rapid generator connection
Eliminated the cost of redundant generators by enabling on-demand backup power
In addition to big box cold storage backup power, the generator docking stations help gas stations, local grocery stores, and hospitals maintain power and avoid the cost of dedicated generators.
For this specialty grocer, that means fewer disruptions, less risk of spoiled food inventory, and smoother operations. For distributors and installers, it means a product that delivers clear ROI, reduces installation complexity, and improves service speed. The momentum has continued well beyond the initial rollout: in 2026 alone, the solution has been deployed across 10 manufacturing locations, with 7 more currently quoted and additional projects expected before year’s end — proof of a partnership built on consistent, repeat business.
If you’d like to explore how Quick Connect Docking Panels can simplify backup power connections and protect your critical operations from costly downtime, let’s talk about how these design principles can work for you. Talk to one of our experts.