🧊 Fridocks: A Tale of Ice, Innovation, and Leadership

Welcome back to CubeCold News where we cover the latest developments in the cold chain industry and temperature-controlled logistics.

In today’s edition:

• Fridocks: A Tale of Ice, Innovation, and Leadership

• Groundbreaking hybrid refrigeration units available from Utility Trailer in North America

• Eskesen appointed Chairman of the ‘Join The Move to –15°C’

• Purchase of Frigoscandia by Dachser completed

• IAG Cargo expands cold chain services in US

CubeCold

We are pleased to share with you the inspiring story of Fridocks, a leader in the Italian cold chain who joined the CubeCold Group last year.

Federico Marsi shares their family’s journey from starting in ice production to becoming a key player in cold chain logistics in Italy, as well as his insights on how to run a successful business in the industry.

Read the full story here.

News

Groundbreaking hybrid refrigeration units available from Utility Trailer in North America Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company has launched groundbreaking hybrid refrigeration units across North America, as announced at the ATA Technology & Maintenance Council's Annual Meeting & Transportation Technology Exhibition.

• These units are part of a joint venture with Schmitz Cargobull, a European trailer manufacturer, and are now available through Utility Trailer's dealer network.

• The new technology aims to revolutionize the transport of temperature-sensitive goods by reducing emissions and fuel consumption by up to 20% and offering advanced telematics for fleet management.

• The units are compliant with stringent environmental regulations, such as the California Air Resources Board's ultra-low-emission standards, and can be plugged in at loading docks to maximize cooling efficiencies. (link)

Eskesen appointed Chairman of the ‘Join The Move to –15°C’ Coalition The "Join The Move to –15°C" Coalition has recently appointed Thomas Eskesen, a renowned expert in refrigerated cargo, as its Chairman.

• This initiative aims to reset the standard temperature for frozen food storage to -15°C, a move that could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the logistics and supply chain sectors.

• By advocating for this 3-degree reduction in temperature standards, the coalition estimates a potential savings of 17.7 million metric tonnes of carbon emissions.

• This initiative has gathered support from various industry heavyweights, highlighting the sector's commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.

• Eskesen's leadership is expected to drive forward the coalition's goals, leveraging his extensive experience in refrigerated transportation to advocate for more sustainable practices across the industry. (link)

Purchase of Frigoscandia completed Dachser signed an agreement in December 2023 to acquire Frigoscandia from Mutares SE & Co. KGaA, a private equity investor, with the transaction closing in March 2024.

• Frigoscandia, founded in 1948 and based in Helsingborg, Sweden, has around 1,300 employees and generated over €300 million in revenue in 2023.

• It provides temperature-controlled logistics services across Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland and the Netherlands

• The acquisition will allow Dachser to expand its food logistics network and capabilities in the Nordic markets.

• Frigoscandia will be integrated into Dachser's Food Logistics business and the existing management team will continue to lead the company.

• For Mutares, this represents a successful exit after acquiring Frigoscandia in 2021 from Posten Norge and implementing a turnaround. (link)

IAG Cargo expands cold chain services in US IAG Cargo has recently initiated a cold-storage cargo transportation service at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG).

• This new operation is designed to transport time and temperature-sensitive healthcare products, including pharmaceuticals that require stringent temperature management.

• The Constant Climate product is a specialized cold chain solution catering to the transportation of temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical materials, ensuring they are held in a temperature-controlled environment at all times.

• The "Constant Climate" station at CVG aims to facilitate the movement of critical cargo such as vaccines, medicinal drugs, and clinical trial medication between Cincinnati and London Heathrow Airport.

• This service leverages IAG Cargo's extensive network, connecting six continents, to transport essential pharmaceuticals globally, with a particular focus on supporting pharmaceutical customers in Ireland and India. (link)

Pharma

Revolutionizing vaccine storage and distribution with innovative solutions Technological advancements are transforming the landscape of vaccine storage and distribution, particularly in response to the logistical and temperature control challenges highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Key innovations include IoT-enabled cold chain monitoring systems that provide real-time temperature data, portable refrigeration for maintaining vaccines at critical temperatures during transport, and drone technology that promises to expedite delivery to hard-to-reach locations.

• The deployment of these technologies brings substantial benefits, such as ensuring the consistent efficacy of vaccines by preventing temperature deviations and enhancing the delivery infrastructure to serve remote populations more effectively.

• Real-time monitoring also offers the advantage of immediate alerts, allowing for swift action to mitigate the risk of vaccine degradation.

• However, the integration of these new technologies into the vaccine supply chain is not without its challenges. It requires careful navigation of regulatory landscapes to secure approvals, stringent data protection to maintain patient privacy and robust cybersecurity measures. (link)

Other headlines

Cold Chain 3PL, a Chicago-based cold chain supply company, launches custom Kitting services to streamline clients' shipping needs.

Sadel Group unveils a £55 million regeneration plan for the former McCain brownfield site in Easton, Lincolnshire.

Medlog, the logistics arm of Mediterranean Shipping Company, inaugurates a state-of-the-art cold storage facility in Cator Manor, Durban, South Africa.

Nomad Foods' landmark study confirms the potential to increase freezer temperatures to -15°C without compromising food safety or quality.

Kodiak Robotics and Martin Brower have partnered to launch autonomous freight deliveries to quick-service restaurants in the Dallas area.

MHD Supply Chain article by Peter Jones from Prological outlines the challenges and innovative design solutions for optimizing cold chain warehouses.

That’s it for today!

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