Partnership mistakes that risk a break in your cold chain

Cold chain partnerships are largely a matter of trust. Once cargo is handed to a forwarder or carrier, shippers must rely on their partners to safely steward their temperature-sensitive products through the cold chain

Effective, reliable partners should show low levels of wasted product from supply chain errors, because a tested and refined process best controls temperature fluctuations.

Collaboration is key in maintaining a standard to ensure consistency and reliability. This is critical as regulations and guidelines become more precise.

It is wise to seek a partner with clear investment to develop their own infrastructure like warehouse mapping, validation and reefer containers.

Emerging markets

The daunting cultural learning curve involved with entering an emerging market is made achievable with a trustworthy local expert. Therefore, shippers should consider whether a potential partner’s network is sufficient to meet market requirements.
The partner needs to have a good reputation with local customs authorities, ground handling agents and local health authorities for handling sensitive items and an outstanding track record in the industry.

They will need to adhere to the latest requirements and be covered with proper insurance either for marine logistics or for other facilities. Even if the necessary cold chain infrastructure is present in a carrier’s network, unless employees are trained to handle temperature-sensitive cargo in those locations, the infrastructure alone may not be sufficient to safeguard the distribution of the pharmaceuticals.

Communication

Successful cold chain partnerships rely on effective communication. One of the most efficient methods of monitoring shipments is a truly collaborative approach, whereby all stakeholders charged with moving temperature-sensitive cargo work together to develop and implement the required programs.

This kind of engagement reassures shippers and forwarders that their cargo is in safe hands. Furthermore, it is evidence that their partner understands the seriousness and importance of the task at hand. With lives at stake and billions of dollars invested, communication, training, modern infrastructure and a track record of safely delivered temperature-sensitive cargo are essential qualities of an effective cold chain partner.

At the end of the day, a bad fit in a partnership and lacking collaboration measures will result in a deteriorating relationship and product loss.

Ahead of the 2018 Temperature Controlled Logistics Conference Pharma Logistics IQ examines some key collaboration mistakes that could trigger a break in a cold chain.

Download the whitepaper to read the piece in full. Featuring insight from Guy Hoskens, Clinical Supply Chain Logistics Expert at Janssen, Luiz Barberini, Operations Manager-External Manufacturing Latin America Head at Bayer and Alan Kennedy, Founder of Team-Up Global.