Cold Chain Logistics

To ensure goods remain within their required temperature limits, cold chain transport involves a combination of insulation, refrigeration and monitoring systems provided by cold chain logistics companies such as:

Specialised packaging: Insulating materials or containers such as gel packs, dry ice, water blankets or Styrofoam boxes protect the goods’ temperature during transit.

Refrigerated transportation: Many cold chain transport such as trucks, ships and planes are equipped with controlled cooling systems to facilitate suitable conditions.

Temperature-controlled storage: Facilities such as warehouses, distribution centres and on-quay storage maintain temperature requirements with strict temperature recording.

Secure monitoring: Sensors, thermostats and tracking devices record temperatures throughout the journey, working with automatic systems and human supervision to take corrective action on adjusting the atmospheric conditions.

To keep your cold chain streamlined and operating seamlessly, there needs to be a close and transparent partnership between the service providers. This clear and reliable communication supports timely information and action, which helps to minimise waste and risk throughout the process.

Partnering with a cold chain logistics company that uses digital solutions for correct information and reduced human error, integrated modern warehousing with quality equipment, and specialist, knowledgeable staff is the best way to boost efficiency and streamline your cold chain.

Our expert team at Cory Brothers is dedicated to keeping your cold chain supply chain efficient and compliant, ensuring your goods are always transported and stored correctly to prevent spoilage and damaging repercussions. Contact us now for more information on our cool chain logistics services.

When you are working with temperature-controlled goods, you may not see the exact temperature or numerical range mentioned. Instead, you may see the terms ambient, refrigerated, frozen, or ultra-low/cryogenic. This is what they mean:

Ambient temperature (15°C to 25°C / 59°F to 77°F): This is generally used for products that do not require refrigeration, but need to avoid extreme hot or cold. Examples are most canned foods, many medications, packaged foods and certain electronics. You may also hear the term "room temperature", which refers to 20°C to 22°C / 68°F to 72°F)

Refrigerated temperature (2°C to 8°C / 35°F to 46°F): Also known as "chilled", many refrigerated goods are perishables like fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, fish, dairy products, and flowers. Other examples include pharmaceuticals, biotechnology products, and cosmetics, which must be kept under refrigerated conditions to denaturing.

Frozen temperature (-18°C to 0°C / 0°F to 32°F): All frozen foods are transported at this temperature to prevent spoilage. This includes produce like breads, ice cream, meats, vegetables, seafood, and processed food. Other goods which are transported frozen include some vaccines and biological agents which must be kept at a stable sub-zero temperature to prevent degradation.

Ultra-low freezing and cryogenic temperatures (<-18°C / <0°F): For goods requiring very low temperatures such as some vaccines, experimental drugs, and biopharma products. Often, the use of extreme cold is critical to maintaining safety and viability with these products.

You can rely on our specialised team to keep your goods moving under the correct conditions, with strict monitoring and safeguarding procedures. Contact us today to find out more on keeping your cold chain logistics efficient and compliant.

As with all transit, the more steps or logistical movements involved, the greater the risk to your goods. When your goods are moving through a cold chain supply chain, there are many moving parts such as packaging, container storage, warehousing, transport, and unloading at destination - and each of these provides a risk for heat exposure or contamination.

The main risks involved with temperature-controlled logistics and storage are:

Temperature fluctuations: During transit or storage, goods will be handled from one atmosphere to another which can cause rapid temperature change. Degraded products run the risk of spoiling, bacterial growth and compromised health and safety.

Equipment failures: Refrigeration units can break down or malfunction, causing goods to increase in temperature outside of their requirements and spoil, deteriorate, or become lose their effectiveness as a product.

Inadequate packaging or packing: If goods are not sufficiently protected, they can become damaged and increase in temperature, becoming unusable or unsafe for consumption. Additionally, your goods may require dry ice or additional spacing inside the container to facilitate a balanced temperature throughout the consignment. Improper attention to these elements can cause spoilage or denaturing in some of the goods.

Supply chain disruptions: Delays due to bad weather, traffic or other logistical issues can cause exposure of goods to unfavourable conditions, risking their quality upon arrival.

Cost challenges: Specialised facilities, extra equipment and constant monitoring are all cost strains that can reduce margins. Additionally, risks of spoilage and disposal of goods are huge financial burdens. A good cold chain logistics company will help you to balance risk and cost-efficiency.

It is crucial that all cold chain logistics companies follow strict procedures and monitoring to prevent the spoilage or degradation of temperature-sensitive products.

You can avoid these financial, stressful and possibly dangerous risks by entrusting Cory Brothers with your cold chain and logistics operation today.

Contact us now to see how our experts can support you.

Due to the severity of some of the risks involved in cool chain logistics, it is absolutely crucial that every step remains compliant to prevent financial, health and legal issues.

Adequate packaging and equipment must be used, temperatures must be accurately monitored around the clock, and all documentation must be correct, complete, and efficiently recorded.

Customs clearance must be completed using the correct HS tariff codes, and all the required paperwork should be acquired before moving the goods. This will help you avoid customs hold-ups, regulatory penalties and the risk of product spoilage from delays.

Different countries have different governing bodies for food and drug safety, so it is important that you understand the local regulations and requirements, and obtain the correct licenses and documents needed for customs clearance and health & safety.

Using a reliable and reputable cold chain and logistics company will help you reduce the guesswork, support your compliance, and save you time and money. Our experts at Cory Brothers are here to help with all your cold chain logistics needs, so you can streamline your cold supply chain and avoid risk.

Contact our specialist team to get started today.

All stages of your cold supply chain need to fit together seamlessly to maximise your efficiency. This means close and transparent partnerships between the transporters, storage premises, and freight carriers so that there is less risk of a miscommunication or omission.

Choosing a cold chain logistics company that provides every function, from source to shelf, minimises the risk of something going wrong between third-party collaborators. This close-knit communication and partnership gives you a more reliable service which protects your goods and your bottom line.

Digital solutions improve the accuracy of information and store it safely, making it readily available and avoiding possible recording errors. This is why partners who have integrated warehousing and logistics systems are essential to cold chain logistics operations - keeping your goods moving smoothly, efficiently, and on time.

Cory Brothers is a trusted partner for cold chain and logistics businesses, using our team's extensive expertise, modern digital solutions and comprehensive services to keep cold supply chains running at maximum efficiency, globally.

Reach out to one of our experts today to transform your cold chain logistics operation.