Cool Chain Association appoints Nicola Caristo as new Secretary General

June 4, 2019 - Nicola Caristo, Pharma & Business Development Manager - Auditing & Certification Manager for Alha Group, has been announced as the new secretary general for the Cool Chain Association (CCA).

Caristo has worked in a variety of roles during a 22-year career for the Alha Group, one of Italy's leading air cargo logistics providers.

He is also one of the 25 members of the International Air Transport Association's (IATA's) Time and Temperature Working Group, which develops and maintains standards for the transportation of healthcare goods.

 "It is an honour to be appointed Secretary General of the Cool Chain Association," said Caristo.

 "I was keen to be involved as the Cool Chain Association already benefits from high visibility within the cargo industry.

 "This means we can be influential when trying to reach the goal of establishing best practice in the transportation of pharma and perishables."

Based at Milan Malpensa Airport, Italy, Caristo has previously focused on auditing roles that have ensured compliance with safety standards and environmental management.

More recently he has ensured that Alha's services comply with IATA's CEIV Pharma certification, which sets an industry standard for safe and secure handling of pharmaceutical products.

Caristo takes over from Edwin Kalischnig, who has served as Secretary General of the CCA for the last seven years.

Kalischnig is CEO of Xtreme Technologies, which provided the NFC loggers used in the recent CCA data sharing pilot, aimed at improving the supply chain and tackling food loss.

 "We would like to thank Edwin for his tireless service and his energy and enthusiasm in helping us support our members," said Stavros Evangelakakis, Chairman of the Cool Chain Association and Global Product Manager Healthcare and Perishables, Cargolux.

 "It is also exciting for us to welcome Nicola, who is widely respected within the cargo industry and is arriving with a wealth of experience."

Two new members, fruit and vegetable importers Fresh Partners BV, and manufacturers of thermo blankets Trip & Co have joined the CCA.

Elianne Kok, Account Manager, Trip & Co, and Puck and Fons Arents of Fresh Partners BV, attended the CCA's Perishables Conference at Fresh Park Venlo, the Netherlands, last month.