If you're responsible for storing or moving products which need to be stored at a specific temperature, you will need to have some kind of business continuity plan to avoid, in the event of anything going wrong, losing business and devaluing your reputation.
It's worth thinking about the recent events which caused many businesses serious problems.
Consider, for example, the recent problems caused in Europe by the volcanic ash cloud. Planes could not fly at all for a significant period and even following this passengers experienced delays for many weeks afterwards.
The impact was huge. Business that move refrigeration containers and goods which need to be stored at a certain temperature must have alternate back-up plans in place.
The types of items this would affect include vaccines. These pharmaceuticals will deteriorate rapidly and can be rendered useless if they are not stored at the correct temperature. This has health implications and can lead to the wastage of significant amounts of money.
It's true that transporting by air is the fastest way of moving goods which require refrigeration. However, as the situation outlined above shows, this isn't always possible. A continuity plan must be in place which incorporates an alternative mode of transport.
Refrigerated storage units are available which are specifically designed to carry pharmaceutical products such as vaccines and other high-value, critical items which need to be kept at a strictly regulated temperature. These units are built from modified refrigerated containers and can easily be transported anywhere globally.
It is also important to temperature monitor. You can do this remotely using the latest sophisticated technology. All you need to do is log in remotely and check that the temperature has remained constant.
A belt and braces approach is advisable. For extra reassurance a contingency plan is essential, especially when it comes to high-value goods such as vaccines and other drugs. Most companies use two distinct cold storage systems, so should one go down, the other will be activated. This means cooling will stay constant.
It's important that you choose the right supplier - your best bet is to choose one that works in your area of specialism such as pharmaceuticals. You could ask for testimonials and case studies of clients in the sector.
Consider what would happen if there were another event such as the volcanic ash cloud? Do you have a plan in place so that you could still transport climate controlled goods? If not, now is a good time to develop a sound back-up plan.