trans-o-flex launches temperature-controlled network in Germany
Austrian Post’s German parcel company trans-o-flex has launched a new nationwide temperature-controlled network for the pharmaceutical industry. The company has developed a system transporting parcels or pallets in the temperature range of 15 degrees centigrade to 25 degrees that will not require the use of thermally-insulating packaging.
The new network launched at the beginning of this month across Germany, using special temperature-controlled vehicles and also conventional vehicles fitted with temperature-controlled thermos boxes.
The firm said temperature is monitored and documented through the entire transport chain.
The network even includes a completely temperature-controlled sorting centre in Kassel, along with hubs that operate temperature-controlled storage areas. A shipment tracking system records individual temperature curves for each shipment.
The network requires 80 temperature-controlled trailers for trunk routes, with 60 temperature-controlled trucks for the pick-up and delivery of pallets, with 1,500 delivery vehicles using thermos boxes.
trans-o-flex said it invested several million euros in the development of the network.
The company said its system meets the tighter rules of the European Union’s Good Distribution Practice initiative.
Christian Knoblich, the trans-o-flex Logistics Group managing director, said: “We expect that all pharmaceutical companies will gradually use actively temperature-controlled systems for the transportation of pharmaceuticals.”
trans-o-flex tested its new temperature-controlled network through a one-month pilot run with the pharmaceutical manufacturer Berlin-Chemie.
Bernd Kühn, Head of Distribution Domestic of Berlin-Chemie AG, said the pilot service picked up two trailers with temperature-sensitive goods each day from the company’s Berlin location, starting from the beginning of September.
“We were very happy with the entire handling and documentation. Above all, it was the high delivery quality that convinced us,” he said.
