Cold Chain Management Insights: Jim Bacon on Canada & Collaboration

In this exclusive interview Jim Bacon, Senior Director, Global Demand Planning & Customer Operations GRIFOLS, Inc., speaks to Andrea Charles from Cold Chain IQ ahead of the 13th annual Cold Chain GDP & Temperature Management Logistics Summit - Canada . Bacon discusses why supply chain collaboration is the cornerstone of good cold chain management and shares his 5 step plan for successful supply chain collaboration. Bacon also shares his insights on the key considerations for Canadian weather when ensuring the quality of temperature controlled supply and innovation in packaging in the Canadian market.

Cold Chain IQ: Why is supply chain collaboration is a hot topic today?

J Bacon : Collaboration is key in developing and maintaining a standard to ensure consistency and reliability. This is critical as regulations and guidelines become more precise. As a decision maker you want to be able to openly discuss your needs with suppliers and they discuss their offerings in a way that conclusions and / or possible solutions will be obvious based on a defined set of criteria. At the end of the day, a bad fit will result in a deteriorating relationship and product loss. On the other hand if we consider working together to create the best fit solution, collaborative relationships will result in positive outcomes.

Cold Chain IQ: What would be your 5 step plan to successful supply chain collaboration?

J Bacon :

1. Define a strategy internally – what are your goals and objectives? 2. Create a team internally – make sure you have the right disciplines on the team 3. Determine capability of potential suppliers and create a partnering relationship – promote transparency 4. Build a Core Team – internal and external members – use the team to create flexibility, discipline, and balance 5. Create Accountability and a repeatable process – drive the team towards ownership for all stages (development, testing / approval, execution, and duration) Separately, these steps are important factors but linking them together leads to sustainability. Develop strong relationships through a partnering / learning approach, establish clear lines of roles and responsibilities and escalation, all part of an effective communication and collaboration plan, and create and execute a process that works and is repeatable. [inlinead] Cold Chain IQ: What do you forecast as the future of the temperature controlled supply chains going forward? Where can we learn more?

J Bacon : For those organizations whether manufacturer / shippers or solution providers that have been involved in cold chain logistics for a long time, I see them continuing to contribute to develop and refine industry guidelines and working with regulators to create an understanding of need and capabilities, also sharing these experiences and best practices at industry events like this one. For those manufacturer / shippers just getting into the process or looking at new solutions I see a desire to better understand these industry regulations or standards providing a clear direction to determine needs. For partner providers, as in any industry, those that have a willingness to adjust to the needs of industry leadership and guidance will grow because of their willingness to collaborate and partner with clients.

Cold Chain IQ: How would you describe the current temperature controlled logistics landscape in Canada?

J Bacon : Canada is and has been a leader in cold chain logistics management of pharmaceuticals by being one of the first nations to develop a guidance document (Health Canada). With temperature extremes, businesses must collaborate and develop more robust time and temperature solutions to protect products. It is and should be a testing ground for innovative developments in maintaining temperature control in extreme situations.

Cold Chain IQ: Have you seen a shift in popularity for the types of packaging and containers used in the Canadian temperature controlled supply chain market?

J Bacon : There has been a great deal of innovation and improvements with active and passive solutions in the recent past. Each situation calls for a different perspective and solution. The conference and specifically the Exhibit Hall is a great opportunity to see what is out there and could be a solution for your products. Come prepared to discuss your needs but also look for evidence and sharing of information from potential providers as you decide what is best for you.

Cold Chain IQ: What are some of the key considerations for Canadian weather with regards to ensuring the quality of temperature controlled supply?

J Bacon : As we have witnessed this year and last, extreme weather has the ability to bring the best infrastructure to a standstill (airport delays, highway closings, etc). This requires the inclusion of contingency planning built into your solutions but also requires a risk assessment to ensure you don’t over engineer your solution. It is critical that you understand your licensed storage and shipping conditions along with stability data to support your decisions and solution development.

Jim Bacon will be leading Workshop F on Day 2 of the 13th Annual Cold Chain GDP & Temperature Management Logistics Summit - Canada on Collaboration in the Cold Chain – The Core Team Approach. Find out more at www.coldchainpharm.com.