In September, Sara Stickler became President and CEO of the Global Cold Chain Alliance, a wide-reaching international advocacy group comprised of temperature-controlled warehousing, transportation and logistics industry players big and small.
AJOT: What was the overall message at TPM 2025 as far as where the cold chain investment is flowing?
Sara Stickler: While there is current uncertainty around the impacts on global supply chains of changes to tariffs and geopolitical relationships, product flow in the cold chain is determined by a much wider range of factors. This was a key takeaway from TPM 25: as discussions continue over U.S. tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China and retaliatory actions, it was a significant part of the conversation. However, so was resiliency.
Food supply chains are adaptable and resilient, and there is confidence that tariff increases will not substantially change the volume of food products in the U.S. supply chain.
The current trend of year-on-year increases in the demand for temperature-controlled logistics services is expected to continue. Pace of investment may slow with new economic uncertainties and the increasing cost of capital, but I think robust investment in cold storage capacity will continue, as well as investments into improving the efficiency of refrigerated transportation and cold warehouse operations. If tariff changes and geopolitical change drive a restructuring of supply chains, there may also be increased investment into facilities to enable ‘nearshoring’.
Another strong theme throughout TPM 25 for cold chain was the increased collaboration across the supply chain and unique partnerships that are providing value add services to customers. The cold chain is changing, and the innovation and collaboration was on full display at TPM.
AJOT: Any other thoughts on what you experienced at TPM 25?
Stickler: It was exciting and reassuring to see the support of the cold chain at TPM 25 - the conference program had a dedicated track and over eight sessions focusing on the cold chain, including a main stage interview with Adam Forste of Lineage. I commend the work of TPM and of Thomas Eskesen for their efforts in elevating the cold chain throughout this year’s conference content.
As a first time TPM participant, it was a valuable showcase of the temperature-controlled logistics industry’s innovation, resilience, and commitment to investing for the future. Cold chain businesses are vital to the availability of safe, high quality, and affordable food throughout the United States and beyond. Our industry plays an essential role not only in minimizing food waste but also in the resilience of the food supply chain when there are disruptions and challenges. The importance of cold chain services will grow as the population changes, and we are faced with additional extreme weather events in a warming world.
AJOT: How far can technology push efficiency in the cold chain?
Stickler: Innovation in the cold chain in recent years is bringing impressive results, but there is always room for improvement. For many businesses in our industry, the focus is now shifting to incremental change, and to the successful application of new and emerging technologies.
Some of today’s emerging technologies have great potential to drive considerable efficiency improvements over the coming decade.
One example is technology that supports increasingly sophisticated use of data, such as sensors providing real-time data on temperature, humidity, and location, coupled with AI algorithms that analyze this data to predict and mitigate potential issues.
Automation technologies are becoming more widely adopted in cold storage every year, enabling more efficient use of space, time and energy.
We can also expect innovation in on-site renewable energy generation and storage, and smart grid technologies, to drive further energy efficiency improvements for cold storage facilities in particular.
AJOT: What effect will a growing middle class have on the global cold chain?
Stickler: Demand for cold chain services is forecast to continue its robust growth trend, in the U.S. and around the world. Changes to populations and demographics and innovations in healthcare, are among the range of factors impacting the demand for cold chain services.
What is interesting is the expansion of the international middle class. Thanks to global investments, this is a group of people that will experience wealth in ways we have not previously seen. Along with changing diets and nutritional demands, we anticipate to see a much larger desire for fresh and frozen commodities, year-round. Demand will simply continue to grow.
AJOT: Are emerging alternative TRUs a viable option for the global cold chain?
Stickler: Low-emission refrigerated vehicles are the future for temperature-controlled road transportation. Significant investment is being injected into trials and early adoption of alternative fuels for vehicle engines and Transport Refrigeration Units (TRUs) in markets around the globe, particularly in regions where the types of temperature-controlled transportation journeys are most suited to the use of new tech and where regulatory requirements are the most pressing.
However, innovations that are currently and widely available are not yet suited to all journey types. There is a great deal of progress for governments to make in delivering the recharging infrastructure that will be required for the transition and adoption of these types of vehicles.
GCCA is working with governments around the world to ensure that cold chain businesses are consulted and supported in the transition to these emerging technologies, and that timeframes for change are reasonable.
AJOT: Is a Net Zero cold chain achievable by 2050?
Stickler: A Net Zero cold chain by 2050 is possible but achieving that ambition would be dependent on a number of crucial external factors.
- Proven technologies that facilitate game-changing carbon reductions in temperature-controlled logistics operations must become more widely available and affordable.
- Governments must invest in the infrastructure required, including a charging network for low emission vehicles and widespread modernizations to the energy grid.
- Cold chain businesses would need to be operating in consistent policy and regulatory environments that encourage and incentivize investment in low carbon technologies and renewable energy generation.
- And, crucially, government and industry would need to work together for the development of new workforce skills that the transition and operation of a “net zero” cold chain would require.
AJOT: Is an efficient and affordable cold chain becoming a reality for developing countries?
Stickler: The development of efficient, affordable and resilient cold chains is absolutely crucial for developing and emerging economies to support international trade, food safety, and food security. Cold storage and temperature-controlled logistics can be the key to cutting high levels of post-harvest food loss and unlocking great improvements in food availability and affordability, nutrition and healthcare. It can also facilitate far better returns for farmers and dramatically increase the resilience of local and regional food supply chains.
Cold chain networks are growing in many developing countries, as markets for their services are established. Where consumers are able and willing to pay for higher quality, safer food, businesses are able to justify the investment in cold chain infrastructure. International investors are supporting this growth, and governments are increasingly reflecting the value of temperature-controlled logistics services in their trade strategies.
However, there are still many challenges, particularly where there is lack of a reliable energy source, challenges with highway infrastructure, high costs of construction and the need for specialized refrigeration skills. Access to affordable finance is critical to cover the sizeable capital expenditures required.
