Frankfurt to be Europe´s largest certified pharma hub

Frankfurt, Germany—Numerous companies at the Frankfurt air hub are pursuing the IATA CEIV Pharma certification with the goal of making Frankfurt the largest certified pharmaceutical gateway in Europe.

“With comprehensive certification of the entire process chain we will have independent confirmation and can recommend Frankfurt as the Pharma-Gateway for Europe,” says Joachim von Winning, executive director of Air Cargo Community Frankfurt. “At the same time we also see the certification process as an opportunity to optimize services and processes. In doing so we want to respond even better to the needs and requirements of freight forwarders and pharmaceutical companies. IATA CEIV Pharma provides the perfect setting and implementation should be completed by early 2017 at the latest, with some companies even earlier.“

Glyn Hughes, IATA global head of cargo: “We are very pleased to have Frankfurt, as one of the major pharmaceutical hubs, recognize the obvious benefits of the IATA CEIV Pharma-Standards. The collective approach to certify across corporate boundaries and for every relevant part of the process chain cannot be stressed enough.“

Air Cargo Community Frankfurt intends to have each step of the process certified. This ensures a high degree of reliability and security throughout the process and, in particular, documented for the consignor. The Community is coordinating special training for the employees of participating companies. It also provides them with a valuable platform for cooperation on shared processes as well as the exchange of experiences and ideas across corporate boundaries.

The Perishable Center GmbH & Co. Betriebs KG, Frankfurt and Bolloré Logistics Germany GmbH in Frankfurt have successfully completed the IATA CEIV Pharma certification at this time. Additional companies in the process of the 9-month certification process are:

• Celebi Cargo GmbH;
• FCS Frankfurt Cargo Services GmbH;
• US Fraport AG (Ground Handling Services);
• Lufthansa Cargo AG (airline operations as well as Lufthansa Cargo Cool Center);
• LUG aircargo handling GmbH;
• Swissport Cargo Services Deutschland GmbH

“We are offering a wide range of services based on the IATA CEIV Pharma-Standards as soon as the certification of these companies has been completed,” said von Winning. “For instance more than 95 percent of the freight handling companies and approximately 85 percent of those providing apron transportation and loading services at Frankfurt Airport will then be certified.“

In addition, numerous international airlines with key stations in Frankfurt as well as major freight forwarders are also becoming certified in accordance with IATA CEIV Pharma.

More than 100,000 tons of pharmaceutical freight a year make Frankfurt Europe´s number one pharma hub. The Community is developing new shared products, such as the “Cool Dolly”. This complements the fleet of the thermally air-conditioned vans in use, making it a cost-effective solution for temperature-controlled pharmaceutical shipments on the apron.

In addition, the Community engages in a close exchange with consignors and representatives of the pharmaceutical industry to make certain that the products and services on location, meet requirements. One part of this is the program “visit FRA pharma“, where representatives of pharmaceutical companies visit the location in order to be informed about the high level of performance and the many possibilities.

“The pharmaceutical part is a prime example of a lived community spirit within the Community” von Winning says. “Working closely together and across corporate boundaries is implemented, for and with our customers, at the entire location. This distinguishes the work and the success of the Air Cargo Community Frankfurt.“