Meet Arrow Transport, New Member of the RWTA!

Arrow is a leading Australian Port Cartage and Warehousing business, privately owned and operated since 2011.

Their mission at Arrow is to provide exceptional transport and logistics service to clients in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Australia by strategically positioning depots near the three major Stevedores and numerous main empty container depots across the country.

They have over 120 prime movers operate across the state and more than 300 trailer combinations to accommodate diverse cargo needs.

They are a reliable accredited sub-contractor fleet that have 24-hour access to all sites for seamless operations

Intelligent Transport System Compliance Framework

INDUSTRY FEEDBACK REQUIRED

The NHVR has recently commenced feedback on the Intelligent Transport System Compliance Framework and is seeking industry feedback to ensure that the framework is fit for purpose, accurate and effective.

The intelligent access program allows heavy vehicles to have improved access to the road network in return for monitoring of their compliance with stated access conditions, and the Intelligent Transport System Compliance Framework aims to provide transparency to this process.

For more information please see the following web page - https://www.nhvr.gov.au/consultation/2024/09/16/intelligent-transport-system-compliance-framework  

Feedback can be provided to operational.support@nhvr.gov.au and closes on 16 September 2024.

Celebrating Jeff Hogarth: RWTA's Newest Life Member!

Please join us in congratulating Jeff Hogarth on his esteemed appointment as a Life Member of the Refrigerated Warehouse and Transport Association (RWTA)

We are thrilled to announce Jeff Hogarth as the latest Life Member of the Refrigerated Warehouse and Transport Association. This prestigious honour is a testament to Jeff's outstanding leadership and dedicated service within the Australian cold chain industry.

Jeff has an extensive background in operational management and business development within the logistics and cold storage sectors. He has a proven track record in leading teams towards achieving excellence in service and innovation and has been an active participant and influencer in shaping the future of cold chain logistics through strategic insights and visionary leadership.

Jeff's induction as a Life Member was highlighted at our recent conference, underscoring his significant contributions and ongoing commitment to the industry.

His continuous efforts not only enhance our association but also pave the way for future advancements in our industry.

RWTA in the News

The local refrigeration industry in Australia is currently engaging with a global campaign that advocates for raising the set-point temperatures for frozen foods, which have traditionally been set at -18°C. 

This standard, in place for nearly a century, is now being reconsidered considering modern refrigeration technology and energy efficiency concerns. Industry stakeholders are being consulted through webinars to discuss the potential impact and feasibility of this change​.

For more details, you can visit the full article on HVAC&R News:

Local industry considers new refrigeration set-points - HVAC&R News (hvacrnews.com.au)

Save on premium Aussie-made EV chargers in August!

Save on premium Aussie-made EV chargers in August!

Installing EV chargers is a smart move for businesses looking to modernise their facilities and make life easier for visitors and staff. With 1 in 3 Australians saying their next vehicle will be an EV, there’s never been a better time to get in early and invest in the infrastructure of tomorrow.

That’s why Smart Commercial Solar is excited to share that this month, offering 10% off all all-inclusive EV charging packages for RWTA Members.

Take advantage of their affordable solutions and $0 upfront payment terms today to invest from as little as $300 per month!

Get in touch if you’re interested, this offer is open until the end of August.

Call James Duckworth on 0410 313 246 or email him at james@smartcommercialsolar.com.au

RWTA Conference 2024 Wrap-Up

What an incredible few days we enjoyed at the RWTA 82nd Conference and Exhibition at Cape Schanck!

Industry leaders and innovators gathered at Montalto Winery and kicked off in the vineyard with delightful canapés and local wines, setting the perfect scene for the connections and conversations that unfolded.

The following days were packed with engaging presentations covering everything from transport and automation to health and sustainable practices. Highlights included a thought provoking diversity and inclusion discussion, deep dives into blockchain technology and how new laws are shaping our industry. Set Point 3 Degrees was a focal point discussion and panel session, and the Health Guy made some sensational, easy to follow and maintain points on how to stay mobile, healthy and mentally well. Speaking about the lack of cold storage space in in Australia was a hot topic, a tech talk followed by a high energy panel discussion afterwards to look deeper into the research. The conference concluded on a high note with the Gala Dinner. We celebrated Noah Heldt of Linfox, this year's Frank Vale Award winner, and recognised Jeff Hogarth as our newest RWTA Life Member acknowledging his outstanding contributions to RWTA and the sector.

Missed out or want to revisit the moments? Check out the full details and photo gallery here.

Celebrating Excellence: 30th Anniversary of the RWTA Frank Vale Award

2024 Winner: Noah Heldt, Linfox!

Congratulations to Noah Heldt from Linfox, our distinguished winner this year! Noah has exemplified remarkable leadership qualities and innovative approaches within the cold chain sector, setting a high standard for future aspirants!

This year the RWTA celebrated its 30th year of the prestigious Frank Vale Award.

We are proud to announce the conclusion of the 30th Frank Vale Award, marking three decades of recognising outstanding achievements in the cold chain industry.

This year, we had four exceptional candidates who showcased dedication, innovation, and leadership:

Nathan Garcia, Americold

Noah Heldt, Linfox

Jaspal Kundra, Americold

Chris Small, McCain Foods

Each participant demonstrated remarkable skill and commitment to excellence. We applaud their efforts and contributions to advancing our industry.

Thank you to ASKIN Performance Panels for your continued support of this prestigious award.

We look forward to another year of innovation and excellence within the RWTA community!

The Frank Vale Award has been awarded annually since 1993 to acknowledge talented young people within the industry, who are 35 years of age, or younger, have worked in the cold chain industry for a minimum of three years, and who have demonstrated to their employers that they have the potential to become future leaders, and make a positive contribution to the development of the Australian Cold Chain Industry.

The Frank Vale Award is Sponsored by

RWTA Conference 2024: Starting strong on Day 3!

Tuesday has been a full day at the conference. Again, tech talks, fabulous speakers and an incredible panel is a lead up to the eagerly awaited Gala Dinner Tuesday night.

The Health Presenter gave a funny and practical presentation on how to simply improve health, an update on the Discretionary Mutual Fund ensures excellent savings on insurance. A fast paced Blockchain presentation blew many minds and was followed by a innovative company presenting on sustainable packaging and insulation.

CBRE gave a sensational overview of property space in Australia, followed by a panel to delve into the subject. Construction updates were fascinating, and a little controversial, EBA’s, Unions and construction are a moving feast! 60 years of Performance Panels updates in Australia on sustainability, efficiency- it’s all about setting the standard in the industry.

A powerhouse presentation was the last of formal proceedings for the day on legislation, best practice and industrial relations to leave the crowd on a high! Stay tuned in a day or so for a final update on the conference- the Frank Vale Winner and the Gala Dinner!! 

RWTA Conference 2024: Day 2 at Cape Schanck!

With the stunning Sunday Montalto lunch and excellent networking function Sunday night, we were champing at the bit to get into the speakers on Monday. Speakers, tech talks and a panel was the order of the day.

Topics covered ranged from transport updates in Victoria, inclusion and diversity, energy saving activities, automation, and a deep dive into Setpoint 3 Degrees and how it can positively affect the cold chain worldwide. The highlight of the day for many was the four Frank Vale contestants presenting to the attendees, where the final decision on the winner was made and will be announced at the Gala Dinner Tuesday night!

RWTA Conference 2024 has commenced!

We are delighted that the 82nd RWTA Conference and Exhibition has commenced with the first function at Mornington Peninsula at Montalto Winery.

There were well over 100 people in attendance, the weather was truly perfect, clear and a sensational start to the day.

There were canapes and small meals that were unequalled in deliciousness, served by the most friendly staff and the local wines, well, the Pinot was the favourite!

We hoped that you could make it and be part of the festivities, but just in case you couldn’t be there, we would like to share the photo gallery so that you can be part of what we are up to!

Keep your eye out over the next few days, we will update you the moment more photos are out!

New Member: Wagner Fire Safety!

New Member Wagner Fire Safety will be in attendance at the upcoming Conference in Cape Schanck next week!  

Get an insight through Jesper Hansen, Global Ambassador of Wagner Fire Safety of what Wagner bring to the Australian Cold Chain Industry.

He touches on the risks involved in a modern deep freezer warehouse, on their focus of supply chain resilience in Australia and how these risks are easily mitigated.

Enel-X Extracting Value From the Battery You Already Have

A battery is simply a store of energy – something that consumes energy now and stores it to be used later.

With rising energy costs, the use of solar PV, being used with or without batteries can reduce those energy costs.

Harnessing the electricity consumption and when the flexibility of a cold storage business’s thermal mass is likely the best, lowest cost and easiest energy related investment they can make. 

Take a couple of minutes to listen to Jamie Catt explain!

Only days left to book the conference of the year!

There's still time to book and join us in Victoria 

at Cape Schanck 4th-6th August!

"On Thin Ice, Navigating Australia’s Cold Chain Viability"

We will be discussing all manner of topics like geopolitical unrest, staff shortages, food insecurity, food wastage, sustainability and technological innovations. It’s all about maintaining a robust cold chain operation in Australia. There will be great networking during the three days at Cape Schank, starting at Montalto Winery. There are multiple networking receptions and lots of opportunities to get to know some new people and catch up with old friends!

We have speakers discussing freight, intermodal, automation, set point 3 degrees, sustainability, automation, compliance, workplace relations, blockchain, real estate development in Australia, diversity and inclusion….and more!

Learn from the speakers, panels and tech talks. Don’t miss seeing the Frank Vale/Future Leaders present and find out which State Finalist secures the win and gets to attend the Global Cold Chain Alliances Conference this year in Florida!

Sara Goodman-Stickler Confirmed as New President & CEO of GCCA

Press Release  

ARLINGTON, VA (July 23, 2024)—The Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA) announced today that Sara Goodman-Stickler has been named the organization’s new President & CEO. Sara will lead the trade group’s mission of promoting and growing the global cold chain. 

“On behalf of the Search Committee and Boards of Directors, I am extremely pleased to announce Sara as the new President & CEO of GCCA,” said Greg Laurin, Chairman of the Search Committee and Immediate Past Chairman of the Global Cold Chain Foundation (GCCF). “We were very impressed with Sara and are confident that under her strong leadership we will continue to address the strategic priorities of our global and growing membership as well as meet the evolving needs of the cold chain industry.”

Sara comes to GCCA from WTS International, an organization dedicated to creating a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable transportation industry through the global advancement of women, where she served as the President & CEO since 2018. During her time at WTS she worked to set and execute WTS International’s organizational strategic priorities, covering 71 chapters across North America, while also working closely with the WTS International Board of Directors to continuously assess and develop the WTS brand and the association’s programs. She also worked with the WTS Foundation and its Board of Directors.

Prior to joining WTS, Sara was the Executive Director of the Alliance for Consumer Education (ACE), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation of the Household and Commercial Products Association (HCPA), where she advanced consumer knowledge on the correct use, storage and disposal of household and commercial products. Sara also served as the Vice President of Research and Education at HCPA during that time. 

“GCCA is at the forefront of one of the world’s most critical industries – the perishable food supply chain,” said Sara. “I am excited to join such an important organization providing valuable resources, training, education and research to ensure the safe and efficient movement of products globally. I look forward to working with the Boards, Members, and Staff to lead the GCCA into the future, and I thank Greg and the Search Committee for their trust and support.”  

Sara was selected by a Search Committee chaired by Greg Laurin of Conestoga Cold Storage and made up of GCCA, GCCF and CEBA members including Scott Albers, NOR-AM Cold Storage; Rob Chambers, Americold Logistics; Jason Dreisbach, Dreisbach Enterprises; Don Durm, PLM Fleet; Marko Dzeletovich, Coldbox Builders; Mickey Hoffmann, United States Cold Storage; Mathew Moore, Americold Logistics; and Sean Vanderelzen, Lineage. In addition, a task force of members from around the world and from small, medium and large sized companies assisted in crafting the position profile that was used to promote the President & CEO position. Heidrick & Struggles, an international executive search firm with an office in Washington, DC, managed the global search process along with the search committee.

Sara will officially start as GCCA’s President & CEO on September 3, 2024. To view the official press release, please click here.

Media Contact:
Megan Costello
EVP & Chief of Staff / Interim President & CEO
mcostello@gcca.org or +1-703-373-4300 ext 201

About the Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA)

The Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA) is the leading international association advocating on behalf of the temperature-controlled warehousing, transportation and logistics industry while promoting best practices through research, industry benchmarking, networking, and education. GCCA unites all partners to be innovative leaders in the movement of perishable products globally. Visit www.gcca.org to learn more.

Meet A New Member - Alinta Energy

New RWTA Member, Alinta Energy is a national energy provider, supplying electricity and gas to large commercial and industrial customers Australia wide.

Take a few minutes to watch the video with Alinta's Brent Graham, GM Commercial and Industrial.
He is discussing how Alinta Energy can best serve the refrigerated warehouses especially in Victoria and WA.

New Member Alert: Alinta Energy

Why choose Alinta Energy?

They are one of Australia's largest energy retailers, generators, investors and developers and have been supplying energy to Australians for more than 25 years.

In the last decade they have grown from being the largest residential gas retailer in Western Australia to the preferred electricity and gas provider for more than 1.1 million homes and businesses Australia-wide.

National Energy Supplier - provide electricity and gas to large commercial and industrial customers across Australia.

Leading energy generator - 3GW owned and contracted

Leading renewables developer - 4GW + renewables storage and capacity under dovelopment, 900MW renewables owned and contracted

Dedicated National Support - Personalised support from a dedicated account manager

Their people - Around 1,000 employees across Australia and New Zealand

Market Insights – Offering comprehensive insights across all states, regions and fuel types

www.alintaenergy.com.au

RFNSW Conference, next Thursday 25JUL24

Road Freight NSW is having their conference next Thursday, 25th July. 

Take a few moments to hear what Simon O’Hara has lined up for attendees!

Keen to attend? Click the conference link below for ticket purchases.

Stewardship award for ARCtick compliance

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) and the Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) have introduced a new award to recognise ARCtick licensed businesses that are compliant at first audit.

The Environmental Stewardship Excellence Award has been created for Refrigerant Trading Authorisation (RTA) holders whose businesses are found to be fully compliant when audited by ARC field officers.

ARC Chief Executive Officer Glenn Evans said the award recognised outstanding commitment to environmental stewardship through achieving 100% regulatory compliance with their RTA requirements.

‘When field officers conduct a permit condition check – commonly known as an audit – many RTAs are fully compliant, but not all, and this award recognises those who are,’ he said.

‘Field officers check equipment, staffing and paperwork, and not everyone is fully compliant at first, although almost all are after receiving follow-up support by the field officers.

‘It takes diligent effort to consistently meet all regulatory requirements, and those who do so are truly hands-on environmental heroes.’

RTAs who are fully compliant at first audit will receive a digital certificate from DCCEEW and ARC to demonstrate their environmental credentials to customers and clients in a society that is increasingly concerned with protecting the environment.

Media Contact:
Greg Shoemark
0412 577 526

gshoemark@arctick.org

Smart Commercial Solar: Maximising Savings on Energy

WEBINAR:

Smart Commercial Solar Webinar; Maximising Savings on Energy. Attend this webinar to learn how to maximise solar and battery power to save on energy costs.

The RWTA Conference is only 3 WEEKS AWAY!! Book now!

The RWTA Conference is only 3 WEEKS AWAY!!

On Thin Ice, Navigating Australia’s Cold Chain Viability

Program link here! 

We have included multiple opportunities for networking, this event is essential for professionals in the refrigerated warehouse and transport sector, offering:

• Expert-Led Sessions: Engage with thought leaders discussing the future of our industry, sustainability practices, and technological advancements.

• Networking Opportunities: Connect with peers, potential commercial partners and catch up with old friends over three great days!

• Industry Insights: Gain valuable insights into policy changes, market trends, and business strategies that will shape the year ahead.

Don’t miss this chance to enhance your professional skills and expand your industry connections.

Join us to help shape the future of refrigerated logistics!

Revisit Last Years Shenanigans!