TRANSCO Berlin raises awareness of GDP with subcontractors and integrates them in pharmaceutical logistics processes

The pharma forwarding agent regularly audits external logistics providers

On completion of the three year "Secure Pharma Chain" project in 2014, TRANSCO Berlin Brandenburg GmbH was the first German pharma freight forwarder to be awarded with the new GDP certificate by TÜV Rheinland. The company also set the industry benchmark in 2015 by being the first carrier to adopt the new high security Cool Line Pharma trailer from Krone. TRANSCO is now engaged in a concerted effort to certify its external logistics service providers: Step by step, the pharmaceutical transport specialist from Ludwigsfelde is auditing its subcontractors as part of a comprehensive qualification process in accordance with the EU Good Distribution Practice (GDP) guideline. As TRANSCO Managing Director, Thomas Schleife, enthusiastically comments: "Qualification of our own employees, vehicles and processes in compliance with GDP is not enough on its own. Our external logistics service providers are part of the pharmaceutical supply chain, and we hold the main responsibility for their smooth functioning. Therefore, we are keen to maintain a continuous dialogue with our partners and make them aware of the issues related to GDP and our understanding of quality. This does not just include the functional tests, but also, we believe, the regular training of personnel and the further development and implementation of logistics processes that are GDP compliant." It is normally only pharmaceutical companies that audit external logistics services to this extent. TRANSCO Berlin Brandenburg GmbH similarly wants to set the benchmark with its approach to "peer review of logistics specialists". TRANSCO operates not only as a forwarding agent, but also as a carrier and thus knows the high quality requirements that transporters have to fulfil within GDP.
In a first step, TRANSCO audited its partners by means of an evaluation questionnaire and since 2014 has regularly carried out process and personnel audits on site. Vehicles in service are regularly subject to visual inspection where possible. "We are continuing to develop our GDP qualification process with audits of subcontractors and also use it for external companies. This is associated with a high degree of effort in time, personnel and use of resources. But just sending out a questionnaire, is not enough for us. That does not represent our understanding of quality", explains Schleife. "We are convinced that the safest way to ensure self-sustaining minimization of risks, in the sensitive transport of pharmaceuticals, is to work and test on-site. Our customers appreciate this rigorous management of risk, as we significantly increase the security and quality of transport, which in the end benefits all parties concerned."
"Safety and quality have top priority": With this slogan the pharmaceutical forwarding agent, TRANSCO Berlin Brandenburg, has made a name for itself in the industry. Back in mid 2014, the company arranged for and was successful in an evaluation of GDP conformance of its logistics processes by TÜV Rheinland. TRANSCO was therefore able to demonstrate the all-important interaction of pharma compliant processes, trained staff and qualified equipment that is essential for quality assurance. "It is our aim, to now implement this high level of quality and consistent implementation of GDP compliant pharmaceutical logistics processes with our subcontractors," notes Thomas Schleife. "With our long standing existing pharmaceutical logistics partners, this requires bringing the already pharmaceutically aware and experienced workforce up to date through regularly briefings. We want to support potential partners in the implementation of GDP processes when needed, so that they can provide us the required quality of transport from the very beginning."

TRANSCO Berlin Brandenburg GmbH specializes in pharmaceutical logistics projects throughout Europe. The forwarding agent and carrier from Ludwigsfelde has been arranging pharmaceutical transport for over 25 years and also offers its services on routes that have challenging customs and security requirements, particularly from Germany to Eastern Europe and Eurasia. TRANSCO operates on behalf of major pharmaceutical manufacturers, from biochemical laboratories, to the medium size enterprises and large groups.

Further information:
TRANSCO Berlin Brandenburg GmbH
Thomas Schleife, Managing Director
Brandenburgische Straße 51/53 - 14974 Ludwigsfelde
Telephone: +49 3378 519 30-15
Fax: +49 3378 519 30-19
Thomas.Schleife@de.TRANSCO.eu
www.TRANSCO.eu

Press Information:
Press’n’Relations GmbH Branch Office Berlin
Bruno Lukas
Boyenstraße 41 - 10115 Berlin-Mitte
Telephone: +49 30 577 00-325
Fax: +49 30 577 00-324
blu@press-n-relations.de 
www.press-n-relations.de


Founded in Ludwigsfelde, TRANSCO Berlin Brandenburg GmbH specializes in GDP compliant transport of pharmaceutical products. Part of the Singen based TRANSCO Group, the logistics provider offers its services as a forwarding agent and carrier throughout Europe and is also an acknowledged expert in the demanding customs and security requirements with trading relationships from Germany to Eastern Europe and Eurasia. The long established collaborative team, led by Managing Director Thomas Schleife, develops and implements comprehensive pharmaceutical approaches to the highest levels of process quality, security, certification and documentation. Both the company owned certified, refrigerated vehicles and the internal processes of TRANSCO Berlin Brandenburg GmbH comply with the requirements of the EU GDP guidelines. The company was awarded its GDP certification by TÜV Rheinland in September, 2014. TRANSCO Berlin Brandenburg GmbH is also certified for quality management in accordance with ISO 9001. The environmental management of the company has been validated in accordance with ISO 14001.