Second Cool Chain Conference Examines RFID technology, CCQI quality certification and training requirements

Luxembourg / Hamburg, 27 June 2005 - Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, the cool chain certification "CCQI" and training requirements for the perishables industry were key issues at the Annual General Meeting of the Cool Chain Association in Gainesville, Florida. More than 60 representatives from 30 companies involved in transport, handling and storage of temperature sensitive products or so-called perishables such as Airlines, Equipment Suppliers and Transport industry met at the two day conference hosted by the University of Florida Center for Food Distribution and Retailing (CFDR). Speakers Mark McDonald of Alien Technology, Jeff Wells of Franwell, Klaus Schmötzer of Airbus and Terri Crawford of Publix Super Markets explained the advantages of RFID technology for the industry: Radio Frequency Identification provides accurate, immediate information about shipment temperature, location, history and a number of other items in the PTSP supply chain and gives all parties involved better control of the shipment quality. The Cool Chain Quality Indicator (CCQI) certification, developed jointly by the Cool Chain Association and Germanischer Lloyd Certification meeting the quality standard demand for the perishables industry, was presented to the conference attendees. The CCQI's provide a means for gauging the reliability, quality and proficiency of companies involved in the transport, handling and storage of PTSP (perishable and temperature sensitive products). The point system incorporated in the CCQI standards provides an innovative, reliable and accurate way of handling and tracking quality in the cool chain logistics supply chain.   Sjel Wijngaards of Jan de Rijk Logistics, one of Europe's leading providers of integrated logistics services, was presented with the CCQI certificate for successful completion of the quality standard.The logistic company achieved the high score of 93 out of 100 on the audited master tables. Earlier this year, Billund Airport, has received CCQI certification. Continental Airlines announced the implementation of the CCQI standard and will be t he third company undergoing the CCQI certification process. Leading speakers from Emirates Aviation College, the University of Florida Center for Food Distribution and Retailing and Germanischer Lloyd reviewed training requirements. In order to achieve a suitable level of knowledge on the proper handling of PTSP throughout each organisation and stage of the PTSP transportation, thereby increasing the awareness of the persons who handle PTSP, training is important. In conjunction with Ingersoll Rand Climate Control a workshop on “New trends in Refrigerated Transportation” discussing main problems and absence of quality in the different stages of the cool chain was conducted.   Foto: Handing over of CCQI Certificate to Jan de Rijk Logistics, (from left to right Sjel Wijngaards, Managing Director Jan de Rijk und Bernhard Ständer, Managing Director Germanischer Lloyd Certification)

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