Challenge Group is the latest temperature-sensitive supply chain specialist to join the Cool Chain Association (CCA) as part of its growing membership.

Global air cargo group Challenge’s six companies include cargo airlines, handlers, and logistics services, and its subsidiary carrier CAL Cargo Airlines is a leading carrier of perishables on the Israel to Europe trade lane.

It has a portfolio of temperature-controlled products covering perishables and pharmaceuticals and holds the International Air Transportation Association (IATA) Center of Excellence for Independent Validators in Pharmaceutical Logistics (CEIV) certification for its two airlines, CAL Cargo Airlines and Challenge Airlines, as well as for Challenge Handling in Liège, Belgium.

Challenge Group will join the CCA’s newly developed Technical Committee, with the aim of supporting tangible projects and initiatives to drive improvements in the cool supply chain.

“By joining the CCA, we know we can make a concrete contribution to raise industry standards as an active member of the Technical Committee,” said Gianluca Marcangelo, Senior Manager Cargo Transformation, Challenge Group.

“We are looking forward to networking with other members and enhance  our industry engagement to build strategic and long-term business partnership.”

CAL Cargo Airlines, part of the Challenge Group, was founded in 1976 to service growing export demands of perishable goods out of Tel Aviv, Israel, and has remained committed to delivering quality services for temperature-controlled products, as well as growing its portfolio.

CCA members are focused on driving improved logistics services for the pharmaceutical and perishable sectors.

The CCA launched its Technical Committee earlier this year, to analyse and manage critical points affecting product quality along the cool chain, as well as to develop standards and initiate projects.

“It is important that we work together to deliver tangible solutions for our cool supply chain, that is our focus,” said Nicola Caristo, CCA Secretary General and Airline Partner Manager, SkyCell AG.

“By working with quality-driven experts such as Challenge, we will together make a much-needed difference and we welcome their knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm to help us achieve our goal.”

The CCA holds two networking events a year, one covering perishables and the other on pharmaceuticals.