In This Issue

GCCA to Provide Members Market Opportunity in China

Secure Your Booth at Bucharest Trade Show

U.S. Action on Food Safety

Register Now for 2009 IACSC Conference & Expo

Designated Media Spokesperson

VersaCold's Larry Jones Passes Away at 49

Cold Facts Advertising Deadline Approaching

Cold Storage Industry News

Food Industry News

Government News

This October, the Global Cold Chain Alliance will be tapping into China’s market potential with a series of cold chain seminars sponsored by the United States Trade Development Agency (USTDA). Through three, one-day seminars in Shanghai, Chengdu and Guangzhou (19-23 October 2009), U.S. firms will have the chance to present the latest in refrigeration warehousing and transportation technologies and best practices. Up to 200 people are expected at each seminar.

GCCA is inviting interested U.S. member companies to present or exhibit at the seminars. Currently, we are calling for experts in refrigeration systems, product inventory management systems, product tracking using RFID, facility design, product handling, food safety, microbiology, biotechnology, or cold chain management. Speakers are also invited to set up table top displays. Please note that GCCA and USTDA will not cover transportation, lodging or per diem costs. However, speakers will have a unique opportunity to network with and be in front of 600 potential customers and partners in China. To learn more, contact Richard Tracy at rtracy@gcca.org or +1 703 373 4300.

Associate members interested in exploring new business opportunities while developing market presence in Central and Southeastern Europe shouldn’t miss the European Cold Chain Logistics Education Program & Trade Show in Bucharest, Romania, 21-22 September 2009. This event, aimed at creating and expanding reliable and efficient regional cold supply chains, will bring together international and regional industry executives, senior management, and operational specialists.

Booth space is limited and only 15 companies and registrations will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis. Prior to 15 July, exhibition space is only available for members. After 15 July, non-member suppliers will also be offered the opportunity to exhibit.

Click here for sponsoring details and registration.

On 14 March 2009, U.S. President Obama created a Food Safety Working Group to provide recommendations on how to upgrade U.S. food safety laws, foster coordination of food safety efforts across government, and ensure laws are being adequately enforced. The group is led by the U.S. Secretaries of Agriculture and Health and Human Services (HHS), with membership from a number of U.S. agencies across the government including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of Commerce, Department of State and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The group released its key findings on 7 July 2009. Within these findings, the group identified three main principles to guide the enhancement of the nation’s food safety system.  Read the findings here.

Registration is now open for the 2009 IACSC Conference & Expo – the year’s biggest cold storage construction and engineering event. Hosted by the International Association for Cold Storage Construction (a GCCA Core Partner), this is the place for cold storage contractors, engineers, and operators to acquire the market tactics and technical innovations that will define how our industry builds and operates in the future. Be there 5-8 November 2009 at the Ritz-Carlton in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. Click here to register online now. Register by 14 September 2009 for the Early Bird Special!

Recently, we have seen how important it is for any company to have a preplanned “designated media spokesperson” in the event of any unexpected occurrences which might bring media attention. Large frozen food companies have found themselves in the midst of events during which 10+ employees made comments to the media within the first hours. In contrast, several public refrigerated warehouse companies with newsworthy occurrences never appeared in any press or internet searches until the “designated media spokesperson” released a comment.

Even if you do not have a “designated media spokesperson,” media relations should still be a part of your crisis management plan. It’s important to prevent any inaccuracies or misrepresentation that can occur in the media. Your plan should include a standard policy that employees should never speak with media without prior approval. Make sure everyone in your company is aware of your policy and review this policy at least once or twice a year. Inaccurate information in print can cause customers to walk away from your business and never look back to “read the correction."

More information will be available at regional 2009 North American Chapter Meetings. Find your Chapter and meeting date here.

For questions or assistance contact your IARW Service Team by calling Connie Phipps at +1 816 960 9946 or emailing cphipps@lockton.com.

GCCA is saddened to report that Larry Jones of VersaCold passed away on Thursday, 25 June 2009. Larry began his career at the Atlas Cold Facility in Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA in 1976 where he worked his way up the ranks to Operations Manager. He moved to Sikeston, Missouri, USA and took on responsibilities as the General Manager of the new facility in 1998. He was an active member in the IARW Heartland Chapter and enjoyed the friendships that developed through the organization.

He is survived by his wife, Robbyn and three children. Larry was a great friend to all in the Midwest region and will be missed. He was a good man with a wealth of knowledge. His advice on the industry, graciously offered any time, will be terribly missed.

Interested in advertising in the upcoming September/October issue of COLD FACTS magazine? If so, the deadline is swiftly approaching! 16 July is the deadline to reserve ad space, artwork is due 23 July. Click here to download your insertion order form.

For more advertising information on COLD FACTS magazine or any GCCA publication, please contact James Rogers at jrogers@gcca.org.

United States Cold Storage announced a new 1.8 million cubic foot public refrigerated warehouse facility in Clearfield, Utah, USA.  See full release.

Leading food and grocery retailers are divided over tax sops for setting up cold chains and warehouses for agricultural produce in India.  See full story from Business Standard.

A refrigerated warehouse is due to be built in the Angolan province of Kwanza Sul in order to make it possible to unload and conserve fish.  See full story from MacauHub.

Global Express, which manages the 110,000-square-foot refrigerated warehouse in New Haven, Connecticut, USA, is developing a relationship with an Italian logistics company.  See full story from New Haven Register.