It has been announced that the third Cool Logistics Conference will include a discussion led by Dr Horst Lang, head of quality assurance at German independent retailer Globus SB-Warenhaeuser.
Dr Lang will give a perspective on fresh food provenance and quality at the event, which takes place on 20-22 September in Hamburg, Germany.
The retailer, which operates 59 outlets including hypermarkets in the Czech Republic and Russia, is an image-conscious group and a standard bearer for high-quality produce, having landed the Fruchthandel Magazine Retail Award at this year's Fruit Logistica.
'We are delighted to have secured the participation of one of the top quality German retailers to spearhead this year's discussion on ethics, environment and efficiencies along the cold supply chain,' said Alex von Stempel, event director for Cool Logistics. 'Global sourcing of fresh produce will be high on the agenda for 2010, both in terms of how public sensibilities regarding sensibilities and responsible trading are influencing retail strategy and how provenance is likely to impact investments, quality and ultimately the profitability of the cold chain as a whole.'
Cool Logistics will also feature a shippers forum for the first time this year, wgere exporters and importers of fresh produce and other foods will be encouraged to exchange experiences and voice concerns related to the transport and logistics community.
The second day of the conference will feature discussions between shipping companies and airlines on strategies moving forward, while also responding to issues raised by shippers and freight forwarders.
'Carriers and beneficial cargo owners may have to resolve increasing differences of opinions by the third quarter of 2010 in order to prevent some of the surprises first aired at last year's Cool Logistics conference,' Mr von Stempel added. 'Capacity constraints, which threatened to choke off the first signs of recovery in the perishable logistics sector, will have to be avoided or at least better managed this year in order to ensure that 2011 will yield better results for all.'