Twenty years of cold chain

The main conference of the European Cold Chain Logistics Association focused on two aspects: "Refrigerated Transport and Logistics" and "Refrigerated Energy and Environment." Hu Shutong and the Baileng team attended the conference as observers. However, such public conferences often focus on concepts and present some compiled research findings.

In addition, initiatives were launched to the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Food, and the Ministry of Oceans to implement the drafting of laws such as the "Insect Control Products Law".

The greater gains lie in the organizational framework and activities of the European Refrigeration Association (ERA). ERA holds an annual logistics conference to exchange logistics management and technical experiences and showcase the latest developments. It also regularly hosts roundtables to discuss selected case studies. ERA is also responsible for providing information services, editing and publishing quarterly and monthly journals, and member directories.

In addition, a great deal of effort has been put into talent development. The European Refrigeration Association, in conjunction with universities, organizes advanced logistics talent training courses, which consist of ten programs and are conducted twice a year for a week-long specialized training session.

On the way back to the hotel, Hu Shutong and Zhao Xugang sat in the same car.

Both were deeply impressed by this mature mechanism. This spontaneous industry organization is very dynamic, bringing together people who understand cold chain logistics and run businesses to create a membership system and share resources. It can contribute to policy support and help products overcome difficulties—a win-win situation. The cold chain is inherently a network; this industry desperately needs interconnectivity.

"After joining the company, I attended many of Mr. Pang's lectures. Over the years, he has dragged me to all sorts of meetings. His invitations to us all always have the same sentence: 'We, the leaders of large companies, are here to keep things in order.'" Zhao Xugang said with a wry smile. "In reality, we all know that he is the one who is in charge. It's just that over the years, when we get together, we've been discussing technology and the most pressing problems at hand."

Hu Shutong nodded. "Our teacher came from an era before fruit and vegetable storage facilities existed. Over the years, he has truly been omnipresent."

"Yes, Mr. Pang is like a jack-of-all-trades in this industry. A while ago, he asked me about the technical publications that Bayer Refrigeration could produce; apparently, they were for hosting on a logistics website. Now he's hiring a technology company to build a logistics database. Shutong, after seeing this European Refrigeration Association, do you have any thoughts?"

"Mr. Zhao, we need such an industry organization. The practical problems need to be analyzed in detail, but we can apply the mechanisms we need."

"How do you make it?"

"First, there needs to be an initiative within the industry, requiring some influential advocates and initiators in the industry, and then the charter needs to be drafted after an agreement is reached."

At this point, Hu Shutong hesitated, realizing that this matter was not simple. It involved basic principles, organizational structure, member management, and specific departmental issues. There needed to be departments for collaborative promotion and resource integration, as well as information, legal matters, and even funding.

Having just finished a meeting with the European Refrigeration Association, many things flashed through Hu Shutong's mind for the first time. He didn't have time to think about or sort them out in detail. Hu Shutong was unwilling to say much about things he was unsure about. Instead, he was more interested in understanding Zhao Xugang's attitude.

"If Mr. Zhao needs anything, I will do my best to help."

Seeing this, Zhao Xugang smiled and said, "I think this mechanism is where we in the industry can make the most of our efforts. I dare not say I will be the leader, but I will definitely be an advocate and join as a member in the name of Bai Leng. I'm sure Mr. Pang would also strongly support this. In fact, it really is time for the old, middle-aged and young generations to work together."

"I understand what Mr. Zhao means, and I have no choice but to take responsibility for this matter."

"Shutong, don't worry, I will definitely give you my full support."

Hu Shutong nodded without replying. Zhao Xugang noticed the street football game going on outside the car window and started chatting with Hu Shutong about some trivial topics.

That would not only mean serving the initiators but also bearing the risks of being an initiator. Hu Shutong simply doesn't have the time or energy to deal with these things, nor does he have the strength or qualifications to call for anything. Only when he can advocate for something alongside others, and sit at a round table with industry leaders, will things truly fall into place for him.

There was nothing he could do about it; he had gotten himself into similar troubles many times before. Ultimately, a person's right to speak depends on their own strength—this is an eternal and unchanging law.

The European trip was drawing to a close, and Hu Shutong had gained a lot. He still had a lot to do when he got back. The three-district planning project could not be delayed any longer. He also needed to prepare a simplified plan for Pengcheng. Moreover, Weihui's technical meeting and subsequent affairs were also matters of concern to him.

As he flew back to his homeland, gazing at the ever-changing clouds outside the porthole, Hu Shutong's thoughts raced. The end of each journey was the beginning of another, but at that moment, he had no idea—

In his distant hometown, a grand chapter awaits him.

……

I've loved cold chain logistics for twenty years.