Cold Storage Groups Combine to Offer Expanded Logistics Services

The European Cold Storage and Logistics Association (ECSLA) and The Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA) have signed an agreement to form one organization to represent and serve the temperature controlled warehousing and logistics industry in Europe. This organization will retain the name ECSLA and be an affiliate partner of GCCA.

The partnership allows the two organizations to offer expanded programs and services to European national cold storage associations and European cold storage companies. Theo van Sambeeck will serve as managing director of the association, and a general secretary will be appointed in Brussels to lobby industry issues.

“ECSLA plays a critical role in lobbying for industry interests in Brussels and providing a network for the many national cold storage associations across Europe,” says Wim van Bon, president of ECSLA

“This combination will form a strong service organization in Europe,” explains Bill Hudson, president and CEO of GCCA. “The cold storage industry is increasingly integrated across the globe, and this partnership will provide the European cold storage industry with access to the worldwide resources of GCCA, including our five global offices strategically located around the world.”

The World Food Logistics Organization (WFLO), one of the core partners of GCCA, has conducted several industry development projects in Europe and has fostered the development of new national cold storage associations around the world. GCCA/WFLO will support ECSLA in continuing to build new national associations in Europe and solicit funding from the European Union to help ECSLA conduct further development work in Europe.