FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

March 2021, Arlington, VA  – The Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA) is proud to present its European Logistics Council as the voice of cold chain in Europe. The Council was appointed and launched as a new leadership group advocating for the interests of GCCA’s European membership community, replacing the former GCCA European Advisory Council.

Composed of GCCA temperature-controlled warehousing and transportation members, the Council contributes their experience, influence, and vision to promote cold chain overall, to enhance industry services and resources, and to help advance the sector.

Eleven European members have been appointed to serve on the Council for a renewable two-year term for members at large, and one year for the Chair and Vice Chair:

• Manuel Cabrera-Kabana, Director, Friopuerto Investment, Spain (elected Chair, warehouse member)
• Niels Lundgaard-Svenstrup, Nordic Network & Business Development Director, Lineage Logistics, Denmark (elected Vice Chair, warehouse member)
• Tasos Charitonidis, Operations and Customer service Dpt., Alaska Cold Stores, Greece (warehouse member)
• Xavier Haspeslagh, Owner, Stockhabo, Belgium (warehouse member)
• Andrew Lawrence, Director, Magnavale, United Kingdom (warehouse member)
• George Lee, Commercial Director UK & Ireland, Agro Merchants Group, Ireland (transportation member)
• Joris Olbrechts, Director, Jodifrost, Belgium (warehouse member)
• Jeroen Tempels, Managing Director, Eurofrigo, Netherlands (warehouse member)
• Ron van Gestel, Senior Commercial Manager, DP World, Belgium (transportation member)
• Ben van Leeuwen, Global Business Development Manager, Frigolanda Group, Netherlands (warehouse member)
• Kris Verbruggen, Managing Director, Frigo Logistics, Poland (transportation member)

"I am excited to work alongside these leaders to further develop the state and image of the cold chain in Europe. The Council members are visionary leaders who have strong ambitions for the future of the sector,” says GCCA European Director Julie Hanson. “Collectively, they will serve as the voice of the cold chain industry in Europe and help GCCA drive growth and value for our members.” 

The Council has set a number of priorities on which to focus its efforts in 2021. These include:

• Carbon footprint reduction and climate change targets;
• Cold storage insurance;
• Labour and talent development;
• Market data.

Council service empowers members to engage in focused, high-level strategic discussions about the industry and association programmes. This is a unique chance for members to learn from their peers while giving back to the association by sharing their time and experience.

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About the Global Cold Chain Alliance

Comprised of its Core Partners, including the International Association of Refrigerated Warehouses (IARW), the World Food Logistics Organization (WFLO), the International Refrigerated Transportation Association (IRTA), and the Controlled Environment Building Association (CEBA), the Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA) represents all major industries engaged in temperature-controlled logistics. GCCA unites all partners to be innovative leaders in the temperature-controlled products industry, and forge a universally strong cold chain where every perishable product retains quality and safety through each link. GCCA represents nearly 180 million cubic meters of temperature-controlled storage spread across over 1,200 facilities; over 375 temperature-controlled transporters; 245 controlled-environment builders and contractors, as well as more than 350 equipment suppliers and other cold chain vendors; all in 83 countries. For more information, visit www.gcca.org. 

Media Contact: Europe Director: Julie Hanson. +32 496 065 865 or jhanson@gcca.org.