Manage the Extreme Cold Chain: Temperature Management

Continuous Temperature Monitoring

Ocean Beauty has always used temperature monitoring in some capacity to monitor shipments. However, these traditional, larger devices had to be secured to the outside of a carton in the shipment, where they measured the ambient air of the transport container. These units were often crushed or sheared off the carton in transit.

The PakSense temperature monitoring label was introduced to Koslosky in the fall of 2006. Flat and about the size of a sugar packet, the PakSense label remains on the cartons in a clear pouch provided by the company. The labels monitor time and the temperature of the product during distribution and take a surface temperature read of the object to which they are attached. Lights on the label will flash if recommended temperatures are exceeded, and all data collected by the label can be downloaded and graphed. These temperature recorders are the “eyes and ears” of the quality assurance team when the product is outside of their direct control.

Ocean Beauty initially used the labels in several ways. First, labels were used selectively to analyze specific routes and improve processes with Ocean Beauty’s airline carrier. Later, two labels—one located on the interior of the carton and one on the exterior—were used to analyze the effects of extreme ambient temperature on the outside of the container, with the actual temperature of the product on the inside. They were also used to help Ocean Beauty determine whether or not sufficient coolant had been placed in cartons prior to shipment.

However, usage quickly spread downstream to other areas of the company’s supply chain.

Management Moves Downstream

Ocean Beauty operates fresh fish distribution centers in eight locations, including Phoenix, Dallas, Portland, and Seattle. These locations are now equipped with readers to download and promptly read the PakSense labels arriving from the Alaska plants. Labels are placed on cartons at the Cordova, Kenai, and Kodiak plants, with expansion plans to include the Excursion Inlet near Juneau. Recently, Ocean Beauty began placing PakSense labels on shipments of fresh caviar from Alaska to Tokyo. The labels provide a detailed time and temperature record of the products’ entire supply chain journey, from processing plants in remote areas of Alaska to the airport in Anchorage or Seattle and, finally, to their ultimate destinations.

“To have the entire temperature history of our seafood from our remote processing centers to our distribution centers throughout the world is powerful,” said Koslosky. “We think this detailed data and our attention to quality assurance is something our customers can truly appreciate.”

As the perishables industry continues to expand globally, it becomes even more imperative to monitor and manage the supply chain. Ocean Beauty and other companies realize that there is no replacement for the confidence that comes with an optimized cold chain.

“The combined program, including working with our airline carrier, the TSA, and applying temperature monitoring labels, has helped us implement a comprehensive cold chain management program,” said Koslosky. “No matter where in the world our products are shipped, our customers can be assured that our quality assurance program is first class.” n

Amy Childress is the marketing director at PakSense, developer of intelligent sensing products specifically designed to monitor perishable goods. Ally Wewers is a marketing associate for the company. They can be reached at [email protected]. Jan Koslosky is director of supply chain management for Ocean Beauty Seafoods, one of the largest seafood companies in the Pacific Northwest.