Redwood Logistics, one of the fastest growing logistics companies in North America, today announced that Brad Kosner, SVP of Business Development, has been recognized by Food Logistics as a ‘Rock Star of the Supply Chain’ for his achievements and vision in shaping the global cold food supply chain.
Through Kosner’s leadership, Redwood’s multimodal brokerage team was a reliable partner for customers looking to overcome significant disruption, including early 2022 carrier capacity crunches, which placed immense pressure on distributors to deliver on time. This obstacle was further complicated for food shippers due to limited availability of cold shipping options. Leveraging Redwood’s strong carrier relationships and technological solutions, customers were able to meet capacity limitations head on and uncover hidden efficiencies to exceed shipping expectations while remaining profitable.
Kosner has served in a variety of leadership roles with Redwood since joining the company in 2002. His recent accomplishments earning him this award include accelerating Redwood’s digital freight brokerage growth to overseeing 100,000 annual loads, establishing a “3PL Captaincy” to handle all non-asset moves for a new customer’s distribution center in Texas and opening a 300,000 sq. ft. warehouse for a shipper in California.
Food Logistics editors selected winners for being actively involved in understanding customers’ needs, creating solutions, ensuring the safe transport of cold food and beverages and adopting sustainable measures.
Global temperature-controlled packaging provider Peli BioThermal shared three key insights revealed in the latest survey conducted on opinion leaders within the biopharmaceutical industry. The company’s 2019 Biopharma Cold Chain Logistics Survey took a granular look at current trends, technologies, and operations among cold chain industry players and exactly how much these trends are impacting the supply chain.
Among the most surprising trends uncovered in the survey confirmed cold-chain excursions are more common than one might assume. A total of 41 percent of survey respondents reported having multiple temperature-controlled excursions exceeding four degrees. More than half of respondents confirmed shipping internationally, adding pressure to the increasing demand for transportation optionality and flexibility within climactic zones.
Additionally, increasing quality demands made the list. As cold chain logistics increase among shippers, risk increases as well. With close to half (44.6 percent) of companies revealing multiple excursions per year, temperature and location tracking is high on the list of concerns to ensure high volumes are handled accurately.
Source: Peli BioThermal
“As strong growth continues across the global pharmaceutical industry, the sub-category of temperature-controlled products is surging ahead — growing at twice the rate of the industry overall,” said David Williams, President of Peli BioThermal. “Our survey reveals what matters most to key biopharma leaders — and what it means for the future — as the industry deals with the rapid growth and complexity of temperature-controlled logistics.”
Source: Peli BioThermal
Among the most common modes of transportation include air and ground with the option for sea and rail due to experience an increase among shippers, according to the survey.
Reusable containers garnered 79 percent respondent approval, adding that although pricier they are worth the investment and worth it over single-use containers. A total of 37.6 percent confirmed the implementation of reusable containers, with 25 percent currently vetting options.
The final piece of the results came from nearly 70 percent of respondents focusing on total cost of ownership (TCO) optimization as important. This consideration would primarily offset market pressures such as competition and margin, but proactive measures in defining TCO have not gathered momentum just yet. Only 10 percent of respondents confirmed exploring basic packaging costs and rates.
Tanzanian children in need of oncology medication will soon receive a third shipment of life-saving medicine next month thanks to efforts between cold chain packaging systems provider, Softbox and International Health Partners (IHP). Softbox’s Silverpod pallet shippers have already delivered 1,400 courses of medicine and will add another 500 following next month’s delivery.
“Softbox’s donation has enabled us to send these much-needed medicines to those who desperately need it,” said Colleen Harrisson-Dodds, IHP’s Logistics Director. “The pharmaceutical companies we work with recommended Softbox’s packaging, and we are very pleased with the result. This is an ongoing programme, and we hope to continue delivering this medicine to our partner hospital in Tanzania, as they have no other access to it and many more patients are in need.”
IHP first consulted with Softbox last year to determine a temperature-controlled packaging solution to safely transport the life-saving medicines at a 2-8°C range. The award-winning Silverpod pallet shippers transport the medications via airfreight directly to IHP’s Tanzanian-based aid partner, TLM.
“We are proud to be working with IHP to help achieve the safe temperature control transportation of these life-saving medicines. Knowing our packaging is helping these children to have a healthier and happier life is very rewarding, and we are very proud to be part of this fantastic initiative.”
Temperature controlled packaging company Peli Biothermal announced the continuation of global expansion efforts under new leadership from Dominic Hyde, VP of a high performance, cost effective temperature controlled shipper rental program, Crēdo™ on Demand.
“My first year with Peli BioThermal has been extremely positive with ongoing developments benefiting our global customers, who represent eight of the top 10 pharmaceutical manufacturers worldwide,” Hyde said. “In 2018, we increased our temperature controlled container fleet size by 90%, while increasing our revenue by 90% and we are well positioned to further accelerate our growth in 2019.”
Peli Biothermal will continue growing its global footprint in addition to convenience and flexibility options for customers in 2019, as seen in 2018 with the expertise and development oversights from Hyde.
Hyde commented:
“Our growing footprint of network stations and drop points are planned to exceed 100 sites by early 2019, representing a significant investment to support the continuing worldwide growth within the pharmaceutical and biomedical industry.
“We have been busy in 2018 signing multiple freight forwarders and integrators worldwide, increasing our convenience and flexibility for customers by selecting the best locations and organisations to speed the journey of their temperature controlled shipments around the globe.
“I look forward to the exciting developments planned for 2019 as Peli BioThermal continues to lead the market with its innovative technology and advanced passive systems.”
Global temperature controlled packaging company Peli BioThermal confirmed Lynaye Reynolds – who has an impressive background pertaining to the pharmaceutical and manufacturing industries, as the new Worldwide Director of Quality over the BioThermal Division in an effort to continue quality global operations, according to a release this week.
President David Williams commented:
“Within a short period of time, after first joining the company, Lynaye re-organised the UK Quality Team and has continued to be a key contributor in our ongoing success. Lynaye’s expertise and enthusiasm has made her a valuable member of the BioThermal Senior Management team and in her new role she will continue to play a pivotal part in our global quality operations.”
Reynolds started as the Quality Manager for the company three years ago at the Leighton Buzzard UK location and is credited for her ongoing support and re-organization efforts leading site certification for the company’s U.S. Plymouth site. Additionally, Reynolds was a primary source of support for the Indianapolis Service Centre startup efforts.
As more companies like Peli BioThermal restructure leadership roles, the industry will continue to see increased changes and successes as competitors and key players gear up for 2019. Strategies for company success begin with analyzing the needs from a management perspective and identifying leadership skills and industry knowledge that impacts operations.
