25/04/2016

Airfreight: Frankfurt is becoming Europe's largest certified Pharma-Hub

Air Cargo Community Frankfurt organizes structured certification on a broad scale and of all the process steps in accordance with IATA CEIV Pharma

Frankfurt, the airfreight hub, is offering excellent conditions for the rapid, safe and reliable delivery of temperature and time sensitive goods, specifically pharmaceutical shipments such as vaccines or medicine. Currently numerous companies are pursuing the IATA CEIV Pharma certification with the strong support of the Air Cargo Community Frankfurt. Their common goal: Frankfurt becomes the largest certified pharmaceutical gateway in Europe.

"The products and services related to the transport of pharmaceutical shipments have always been world class in Frankfurt and serve as a role model for many“, says Joachim von Winning, Executive Director of Air Cargo Community Frankfurt. "With comprehensive certification of the entire process chain we will have independent confirmation and can recommend Frankfurt as the Pharma-Gateway for Europe. At the same time we also see the certification process as an opportunity to optimize services and processes. In doing so we want to respond even better to the needs and requirements of freight forwarders and pharmaceutical companies. IATA CEIV Pharma provides the perfect setting and implementation should be completed by early 2017 at the latest, with some companies even earlier.“

Glyn Hughes, IATA Global Head of Cargo: "We are very pleased to have Frankfurt, as one of the major pharmaceutical hubs, recognize the obvious benefits of the IATA CEIV Pharma-Standards. The collective approach to certify across corporate boundaries and for every relevant part of the process chain cannot be stressed enough.“

 

Community actively supports the certification process

The comprehensive and collaborative approach of Air Cargo Community Frankfurt intends to have each step of the process certified. This way ensures a high degree of reliability and security throughout the process and in particular documented for the consignor. The Community is coordinating special training for the employees of participating companies in order to ensure the success of the certification process. It also provides them with a valuable platform for cooperation on shared processes as well as the exchange of experiences and ideas across corporate boundaries.

 

First Companies already certified in accordance with IATA CEIV Pharma

The Perishable Center GmbH & Co. Betriebs KG, Frankfurt and Bolloré Logistics Germany GmbH in Frankfurt have successfully completed the IATA CEIV Pharma certification at this time. Beyond that additional companies are already in the process or are starting the 9-month certification process on location. Among them are:

 

Joachim von Winning: "We are offering a wide range of services based on the IATA CEIV Pharma-Standards as soon as the certification of these companies has been completed. For instance more than 95 percent of the freight handling companies and approximately 85 percent of those providing apron transportation and loading services at Frankfurt Airport will then be certified.“

In addition to this, numerous international airlines with key stations in Frankfurt as well as major freight forwarders are also becoming certified in accordance with IATA CEIV Pharma.

 

The Community´s commitment above and beyond the certification process

The more than 100,000 tons of pharmaceutical freight a year make Frankfurt Europe´s number one pharma-hub. However, the IATA CEIV Pharma certification is only one area where the Air Cargo Community Frankfurt is involved with its competence team "Temperature Controlled Transport – Pharma" for the transport of pharmaceutical products via Frankfurt. As such it is checking each and every step of the process for possible optimization potential. In addition to this and together with the companies, the Community is developing new shared products, such as the "Cool Dolly". This complements the fleet of the thermally air-conditioned vans in use, making it a cost-effective solution for temperature-controlled pharmaceutical shipments on the apron.

In addition, the Community engages in a close exchange with consignors and representatives of the pharmaceutical industry to make certain that the products and services on location, optimally meet the needed requirements. One part of this is the program "visit FRA pharma“, where representatives of pharmaceutical companies visit the location in order to be informed about the high level of performance and the many possibilities.

"The pharmaceutical part is a prime example of a lived community spirit within the Community", says Joachim von Winning. "Working closely together and across corporate boundaries is implemented, for and with our customers, at the entire location. This distinguishes the work and the success of the Air Cargo Community Frankfurt.“

 

Air Cargo Community Frankfurt e.V.

The Air Cargo Community Frankfurt e.V. is an association of companies, institutions and organizations with the clear objective of promoting the airfreight location of Frankfurt. Its total of 38 members includes representatives of all areas of the air cargo supply chain. The association has three working groups “Temperature-controlled Transport”, “Processes & Infrastructure" and "Location Marketing & Community Building", as well as various specialist groups which represent the entire range of services offered at the airfreight location of Frankfurt. The prime objective is that the Frankfurt Airport will, also in future, continue to clearly be Europe’s No. 1 in the air freight business and, as the leading air freight hub, significantly enhance its competitiveness compared with other airports in neighbouring countries. The location of Frankfurt, today with more than 2.1 million tons of air freight (2015) and 11,600 employees in the cargo area, should also continue to grow significantly in the coming years and, in doing so, capture an even larger share of global freight volumes for itself.

 

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