A delegation of logistics executives from India visited the US this week as part of a trade mission to improve India's cold chain infrastructure for transporting fresh produce.
The group of 13 industry envoys from India's public and private sector met with US cold chain specialists from US refrigerated equipment specialist Carrier Transicold, the Global Cold Chain Alliance and the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) in Georgia to learn about US best practices in transport refrigeration.
The delegation toured refrigeration facilities and participated in a workshop on proper loading practices for refrigerated trucks and trailers, Carrier Transicold said in a press release.
"The benefits to the Indian cold chain executives to see firsthand and learn from experienced leaders in the US are invaluable, as they will be able to apply this knowledge to hasten the pace of development of India's cold chain," said Richard Tracy of Global Cold Chain Alliance – a global organisation representing all major industries involved in temperature-controlled logistics.
Approximately 30 per cent of fresh produce produced in India is wasted each year due to a lack of cold chain infrastructure, capacity and technical experience, as well as low standards in handling and storage, Carrier Transicold said.
Delegates from India's public sector included representatives from the National Horticulture Board; the Ministry of Food Processing and Industries; and Fresh and Healthy Enterprise, established by the Container Corporation of India to create world-class cold chain infrastructure.
"We are in the process of establishing a refrigerated transport test facility in India," said Dr RK Sharma of the National Horticulture Board. "Seeing the level of technology in Carrier's facility was very useful and informative, particularly as we consider financing for transport refrigeration units under government promoted schemes and projects."
Private sector attendees ranged from cold storage facility owners and engineers to cold chain logistics providers, such as Snowman Logistics – a company that operates 25 modern warehouses distributing to over 4,400 outlets and 100 cities in India.
"It was an enriching experience... as we look to apply best practices in India," said Ravi Kannan, ceo of Snowman Logistics.
Carrier Transicold supplies a complete line of equipment for refrigerated trucks, trailers and containers. The Athens, Georgia-based firm is a unit of Carrier Corporation, a leader in high technology heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration solutions.
Carrier Transicold has supplied India's transport refrigeration industry since 1993 via its large network of service dealers.
