This is How Macroeconomic Changes Have Affected (and Actually Helped) Three Cold Chain Organizations

It may be easy to resist change. But any change that makes one’s job easier is welcome. That’s why these industry leaders say they’re encouraged by the current (and somewhat forced) state of cold chain operations.

A cold chain worker looks in a pharmaceutical refrigerator

by Ashley Barey

January 10, 2023

They say there is a silver lining to every situation. So, what was the silver lining of the pandemic? That was my first question to four cold chain executives in a recent roundtable briefing:

Chris Caulfield, Vice President of Operations, Temperature Monitoring and Sensing, Zebra Technologies
Cathy Langham, President and Owner, Langham Logistics

Ranjeet Banerjee, CEO of Cold Chain Technologies
TJ Rizzo, Chief Commercial Officer, Cold Chain Technologies

Each agreed that it has been refreshing to see cold chain entities proactively collaborate across traditional silos – even if it has been a forced change. They also see immense value in the organizational restructuring that has occurred because of people’s changing employment preferences, expanding skill sets, and professional ambitions as well as customers’ mounting demands.

But, as I listened to each executive share their experiences, what I found most interesting was:

How many different operational changes were encouraged – and adopted – because of the pandemic, and which will likely be sustained long term due to some surprising learnings.

How labor shortages have impacted cold chains – and how those impacts differ from what other types of supply chains are reporting today.

How each organization optimized operational costs without compromising on cold chain compliance or performance.

The ways in which cold chain companies’ cultures have been tested – and what it is taking to pass the test these days.

How companies like Zebra, Cold Chain Technologies, and Langham Logistics are investing capex and innovating to improve and preserve cold chain performance to address new economic and public health challenges. (They also talk about how you can adapt currently available technologies to improve decision-making and outcomes within your organization and supply chains.)

Before we wrapped our discussion, they also shared their thoughts why you should…

Look for consultants rather than just “technology providers” when seeking solutions to your operational challenges. (Pro tip: Look for consultants who value partners and work in concert with all stakeholders to deliver and help ensure the effectiveness of recommended solutions.)

Assign more value to business intelligence and work to assure data is shared and fully utilized across historical siloes.

Tune in now to hear their fascinating stories and targeted advice for cold chain decision-makers:

If you missed our past discussions, catch up here:

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Ashley Barey

Ashley Barey is a Director of Strategic Development for Zebra Technologies currently based in the US, supporting the global Environmental Sensor category, Ashley has 15 years of supply chain experience and has worked on numerous supply chain data integration and automation projects throughout the U.S. and EMEA.