Cold Chain Operations

Cold chain operations is a new and upcoming field in logistics. They are the ‘refrigerated supply
chains’ that are used to transport perishable goods, food products, etc., from one location to
another over long distances. Cold chain operations are not just about packaging or storage, they
also include proper handling of the product at every step of its journey. To put it simply, a cold
chain operation is a supply chain that is specifically designed to keep perishables at a
temperature below the ambient temperature of the environment in which they are stored or
transported. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) defines cold chain
operations as "the activities involved in maintaining the quality of perishable goods from
producer to consumer."

A successful cold chain system depends on effective temperature monitoring and control at every
step along the supply chain. From production to distribution, each link in the cold chain must be
monitored continuously for temperature deviations. This allows for corrective measures before
time-sensitive products spoil and become lost revenue and profits. The seamless integration of
logistics, technology, and innovation offers tremendous opportunities to improve cold chain
operations. It is the key to realizing greater efficiencies and ROI, while also enhancing customer
satisfaction.

The History Of Cold Chain Operations

We all know that cold chain operations are important to the food and beverage industry, but do
you know how they began? Or how they’ve evolved over time? The history of cold chain
operations is extensive, making it easy to forget that refrigerated transport has only truly become
widespread in the last century or so. The development of the "cold chain" is one of the most
important innovations in history. Before refrigeration, perishable goods needed to be used
quickly. Refrigeration changed that. It allowed perishable goods to be kept for days, weeks, and
even months after they were harvested or killed. Refrigeration also had a huge impact on trade
and migration around the world.

It is believed that the ancient Egyptians kept food cold with snow and ice during the hot summer
months. The ancient Indians used olive oil and ghee to keep food items cool. All of the major
world food stores started off this way before the 20th Century. As early as 1850, people were
able to refrigerate food by sealing it in airtight boxes, then shucking it to float in cold water with
ice packs. The most dramatic change was the creation of centralized distribution systems which
sped production and improved food quality. With centralized inventory, the focus was turned to
safety to keep the food from spoiling.
How Does A Cold Chain Work?

From a supply chain perspective, a cold chain cycle begins with the manufacturing facility
purchasing excess, untraditional items from a manufacturer (known as “manufacturing
inventory”). These are typically raw materials that are difficult or impossible to find in
commercial quantities. Once these materials are purchased, the facility places the items into a
growler or large sealed receptacle (known as “cask”) and then transfers the contents into a sealed
lockable container (known as a “locker”). Once the container is utilized, the cold chains move
directly to storage. The “locker” is typically an underground tank, normally located in a building.
The “cask” contains the cold chain goods and remains cold because it was held at the appropriate
temperature. In addition to these containers, the facility may also utilize other equipment such as
conveyor belts, forklifts, forklift trucks, and forklift wagons. All of these equipment pieces can
be utilized as needed to transfer goods. Once the goods have been moved within the facility, the
facility holds them as excess until they are needed.

Cold Chain Storage And Handling

In the food industry, there’s a fair amount of pressure when it comes to ensuring your product
reaches the customer in one piece. Cold chain operations are a crucial part of the supply chain.
The loss of temperature control, for any reason, puts your product at risk for spoilage or failure.
Whether you're shipping perishable commodities, handling hazardous materials, or simply
transporting human blood products, there are best practices you must follow to ensure that your
cold chain operations are successful. A study by the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) shows that
retailers can save up to $15 billion annually by implementing an effective cold chain operation.
However, successful implementation of a cold chain operation involves more than just installing
equipment; it involves educating employees about what the equipment does and why it is
important.

Once the product is ready to go it’s time to clean, preserve, and protect. The most important
factor for a cold chain to do this is to maintain or improve the freshness of the product. In this
phase, a company will ultimately have to determine how they will prepare the goods for the
market. The most basic method used is to place it in a swinging cooler or a cooler box.
Consumer pressure will cause the product to rise. The idea behind this is to keep the food from
going bad in the time it is exposed to high heat and light, which can happen right as the produce
is harvested. This is what’s called the “secondary quick aging” process, or secondary rapid
aging.

Technology In Cold Chain operations

Today, technology has enabled global supply chains to monitor for temperature, humidity,
location, etc. This has resulted in reduced product losses, reduced risk of spoilage, increased
customer satisfaction, etc. Cold chain technology is one of the most cost-effective ways to
improve the quality of your products, especially sensitive products like vaccines.
Food companies utilize a variety of equipment and processes to keep food fresh longer,
including:

Ozone lamps
Freezers and coolers
Freezer fraud
Shelf-stable produce; the sump pump to keep fruits and vegetables cold
The sunflower seed coat

The Importance Of Cold Chain Operations For Your Business

Cold chain logistics has been around for over a century, and in recent years the industry has seen
significant growth and development. But with this boom in popularity comes greater pressure to
ensure your business is using the right cold chain providers — and making the right investment
in your business. There are many considerations when choosing a cold chain provider. One such
option is AWL India. AWL India provides world-class logistic and supply chain management
solutions to their clients. This is achieved by the use of cutting-edge technology, a broader range
of fleet and sophisticated infrastructure. They take care of safe and secure deliveries, transport
optimization and cost-effectiveness. Their proven experience of serving over 75000 clients has
made them the fastest growing logistics company of India.