Panalpina has signed a global agreement with Envirotainer to provide temperature-controlled air cargo containers for its new cold chain management solutions for the healthcare industry.

The two companies have worked together for more than three years in various markets around the world but this is the first time Panalpina has committed to a global agreement.

Peter Reinhart, VP Competence Center Healthcare at Panalpina, said: "Moving product for the healthcare industry is a highly sensitive and complex business that requires great precision to meet both our customers' internal quality standards and the regulatory requirements of countries around the world. Envirotainer is the world leader in the provision of cold chain management solutions and is the ideal partner to provide Panalpina with the quality of equipment, service and support we need.

"Through this closer working relationship with Envirotainer, we can offer healthcare customers an integrated door-to-door cold chain in the air and on the ground with their own dedicated capacity and with all the parties involved in the chain under our direct control. Panalpina is managing this process by ensuring customised standard operating procedures are implemented by all parties in the entire cold chain."

Signing a global agreement with Envirotainer means Panalpina will be able to provide customers in the healthcare sector with a wider choice of cold chain management services to more destinations, supported by Envirotainer's international network.

Martin Peter, Marketing Director of Envirotainer, said: "Healthcare companies that produce insulin, vaccines, blood plasma and saturated solutions need transport solutions with reliable temperature control throughout the distribution chain. In the past few years we have demonstrated to the healthcare sector specialists at Panalpina and their customers that Envirotainer can meet their current and future needs and that we have the technical knowledge, expertise and global support network to help them develop their business still further in the future. By strengthening our relationship with Panalpina, we will be able to better service shippers around the world that want to use Envirotainer's services."