AIR CARG O WEEK


WEEKLY NEWS


Gaps in the system While the pandemic fostered unity in the industry, it also exposed vulnerabilities in Europe’s Good Distribution Practice (GDP) guidelines. “GDP provides a solid foundation, but it’s not


enough to keep it as is,” von Pfeil said. “While some flexibility in some areas is helpful, there are areas where more stringent regulations would streamline and simplify operations, especially for companies aiming to scale. More consistent and globally unified guidelines would make growth more manageable.” Despite these challenges, the focus must remain


PRECISION AND QUALITY


BY Edward HARDY


Von Pfeil recalled: “We saw airlines operating fully chartered


flights,


THE Covid-19 pandemic dramatically shifted the understanding of what constitutes a resilient cold chain,


temperature-sensitive


testing the industry’s capacity products


in a


repeatable manner like never before. “The pandemic really clarified what matters in


our field,” Julius Graf von Pfeil, Head of Supply Chain and Finance at Logistics4Pharma, stated. “It’s not always about the highest margins; it’s about ensuring that essential services continue, even under extreme pressure.” During the pandemic, companies across various sectors collaborated in ways previously unimaginable.


freezer companies developing


to supply controlled,


scalable minus 80 °C storage units, and production lines ramping up production to meet the demand for Covid-19-related services and transportation. Everyone worked overtime—double, triple, and even quadruple shifts—it was a collective effort on a global scale.” This spirit of collaboration extended to the


rapid establishment of testing centres, a crucial infrastructure that, just a few years earlier, would have seemed implausible. “The ability to test globally, despite varying levels of safety and security, was a remarkable achievment,” von Pfeil noted. “It demonstrated


the industry’s capacity to adapt swiftly.” resilience and its


unwavering: product quality and safety. “It’s not just about the logistics provider – it’s safeguarding


about the product throughout its


journey,” he emphasised. “Pharmaceutical companies bear immense responsibility, and that responsibility doesn’t end at the factory gate. The entire cold chain process must maintain the highest standards to ensure safe delivery, considering the full lifecycle and associated costs.”


Precision under pressure The sudden surge in demand for vaccine and pharmaceutical


transport in the past complex,” Julius Graf


expectation, but a fundamental principle within our industry.”


Driving innovation through data As innovation accelerates, digitisation is transforming the cold chain market – enhancing efficiency, safety and transparency. “The real value is in integrating and analysing data


to assess risks, improve operational processes, and ensure compliance,” von Pfeil outlined. “Technologies like live trackers and data loggers allow monitoring of


temperature-sensitive goods.


RFID tags and QR codes enable end-to-end visibility – from loading to delivery – empowering better decision-making and control throughout the whole supply chain.”


Quality: The non-negotiable standard Amid all of


these advancements, one principle


remains unchanged: quality is paramount. “You cannot compromise,” von Pfeil declared. “From


few years


has spotlighted the challenges of maintaining the integrity of complex cold chains. “Logistics is inherently


von Pfeil, Head of Supply Chain and Finance at Logistics4Pharma, stated.


“It requires seamless


coordination among multiple stakeholders to ensure the successful delivery of sensitive goods.” “In the cold chain logistics, where precision and are


reliability non-negotiable, this coordination


must be executed with excellence. Anything less is unacceptable. Striving for excellence is not just an


manufacturing to final delivery, product quality must be continuously monitored and protected. Keeping that focus enables us to achieve outcomes that are safe, reliable, and repeatable.” “Transparency with your partners is key — being


honest about your capabilities, what you can do, what you’d recommend to do, and what you cannot do is the first anchor in a shared commitment to quality in our industry.” “We’ve engaged with integrators, pharmaceutical


companies, packaging providers, warehousing and transportation specialists. While their perspectives vary, the common thread is a shared pursuit of excellence.”


07


www.aircargoweek.com


13 OCTOBER 2025 ACW


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