Every week, CargoForwarder Global’s ‘Spotlight On…’ showcases a specific segment of the air cargo industry, to illustrate the many functions contributing to international logistics. Air cargo logistics plays a crucial role in the transport of life science and pharmaceutical products, so companies developing and producing thermal packaging and digital monitoring solutions for these high-value shipments are an important factor. Their products safeguard against temperature excursions during vulnerable ground handling, tarmac exposure, and transit situations. Reusable systems help to cut waste and costs, while single-use options provide simplicity. Digital real-time visibility, early alerts, and data-driven decisions reduce the risks of loss, damage, and ultimately risks to the patient. This week, Kristof De Smedt, Global Market Segment Director Airlines & Logistics Service Providers, Cold Chain Technologies LLC, explains his role and shares his views and advice.
CFG: What is your current function and company? And what are your responsibilities?
KDS: I’m currently serving as the Global Market Segment Director Airlines and Logistics Service Providers with Cold Chain Technologies LLC – A global leader in advanced reuseable and single use thermal packaging and digital monitoring solutions for the transportation of temperature-sensitive Life Science and Pharma products. Within my current role, I’m responsible for developing our Global Growth Strategy within the air cargo market segment, focusing on CCT’s entire comprehensive pallet solutions portfolio. As many pharmaceuticals and healthcare products are time critical, we’re collaborating closely with many logistics service providers and airlines around the globe, to ensure the integrity of healthcare products and medication is secured up until it reaches the patient, by offering high quality, sustainable and multi-use cold chain innovation.
CFG: What does a normal day look like for you?
KDS: Being located in the heart of Europe (Belgium), I’m in the perfect time zone to engage with our APAC and EMEA based colleagues in the morning, and my afternoons are typically reserved for my U.S. and Latin American team members and/or business partners to connect with. As the market is currently facing a lot of challenges, it’s truly encouraging that we’re contributing to a real purpose, securing the integrity of life-saving medication up until the patient. Finally, I’ve been nominated recently as a full board member of IATAs HCWG (Healthcare Cargo Working Group) where I can contribute to drive towards better compliance and regulatory standards that serve today’s needs of the Life-Science and Healthcare IV industries.
CFG: How long have you been in the air cargo industry, and what brought you to it?
KDS: I’ve been intrigued with the air cargo industry ever since the start of my professional journey. My graduation thesis was built in close collaboration with Brussels Airport (BRU Airport 100′ concept), which, after 30 years, still remains a very hot topic, as still today most temperature excursions typically happen on the tarmac.
CFG: What do you enjoy most about your job?
KDS: I’m truly grateful to work for a global player offering high-end temperature control solutions in a business environment that is constantly adapting to new market trends and innovation needs within the cold-chain packaging industry; I very much enjoy the global interaction with airlines and global logistics players in various parts of the world. It’s exciting to see our company is truly recognized as a global leader in cold-chain innovation tailored to the Pharma and Life Science market needs.
CFG: Where do you see the greatest challenges in our industry?
KDS: Within the Pharma/Life Science segment, the air cargo industry has demonstrated that it is very agile when things are going off track (e.g. During the COVID pandemic and also currently with the Middle East crisis). One of the greatest challenges for the air cargo industry, is the upcoming development of ATMP (Advanced Therapy Medicinal products including cell and gene and tissue-engineered therapies) that call for a specific ‘Silver Glove’ service, which will require a new collaboration model between the pharma industry, regulators and multiple stakeholders from the air cargo industry, as those shipments are exceptionally stringent, highly sensitive and time critical, and require continuous monitoring and specialized packaging solutions which cannot be handled within the existing standard frameworks.
CFG: What advice would you give to people looking to get into the air cargo industry?
KDS: As the air cargo industry is a community-driven business segment, it is crucial to embrace collaboration and build a strong network of key industry stakeholders in order to become successful. With regards to specific training, I would highly recommend getting IATA certified (introductory course, dangerous goods handling specialization, etc.). And a basic degree in Logistics Management, Supply Chain Management, together with a blend of hands-on experience and digital proficiency will be very helpful
CFG: If the air cargo industry were a film/book, what would its title be?
KDS: ‘The Unbroken Cold-Chain of the Red-Eye Flight’ will be great one! [Winks]
Thank you, Kristof!
If you would like to share your personal air cargo story with our CargoForwarder Global readers, feel free to send your answers to the above questions to cargoforwarderglobal@kopfpilot.at We look forward to shining a spotlight on your job area, views, and experiences.
