Edited by Eamonn Ryan
The following presentation was delivered at the 2024 Cold Chain Refrigeration, Logistics and Technology Summit in Cape Town, by Sean Petzer, founder of ESBD (ES Business Development), on the topic ‘Leveraging AI and digitalisation in cold chain logistics’. This is Part 1 of a two-part series.
Efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and reliability are paramount in the cold chain sectors. Companies worldwide, including global shipping liners, forwarding agencies, and consolidators, face the ongoing challenge of ensuring that products, especially pharmaceuticals, are transported and delivered under optimal conditions. ESBD specialises in independent thermal factory business solutions.
Unlike companies that offer short-term fixes, ESBD enters into long-term contracts with its clients, ensuring that their solutions provide continuous support and savings. The company’s approach is encapsulated in the phrase, ‘It’s not about the price you pay, but how much you save’. This philosophy was vividly illustrated during one particular negotiation where ESBD’s solution, though initially appearing more expensive, proved to be 24% cheaper when accounting for the reduction in product write-offs due to temperature excursions.
“One of the cornerstones of our innovation is the development of reusable thermal boxes. While these boxes may have a higher upfront cost, their ability to be reused multiple times significantly reduces overall expenses. We validate our boxes for a minimum of 120 hours, ensuring that products like vaccines remain at safe temperatures for up to five days. This rigorous validation includes both international and South African testing to meet the highest standards,” says Petzer.
Its box portfolio ranges from small 4ℓ containers to large 264ℓ ones, all designed for optimal thermal performance. The use of phase change materials (PCMs) instead of traditional gel packs allows for precise temperature control. For instance, a 2°C to 8°C box uses PCM maintained at 5°C, ensuring maximum payload capacity and eliminating the need for additional packaging.