Ensuring that goods arrive safely, in the right condition, and on time, is a cornerstone of any modern economy. It is a complex interaction of people, systems, and processes, a machine that must function seamlessly, every single day.
The logistics industry is built on trust. Consumers expect food to be safe, medications to be handled at the correct temperature and work as intended, and goods to meet the promised quality. In temperature-controlled logistics in particular, even small deviations can have major consequences. The impact goes far beyond financial loss – it affects reputation, sustainability, and in the worst cases, human life and health.
Yet, here’s a reality check:
While data-driven decision-making has become the norm in many other industries, large parts of the transport and logistics sector are seriously outdated and still characterized by manual routines, limited insight, and reactive follow-up.
This is clearly not acceptable, and in an increasingly data-driven world, it will not be tolerated for much longer.
A global structural problem
In the global biopharmaceutical industry, an estimated $35 billion is lost every year due to failures in supply chains. In the food sector, EU data shows that around 20% of all food is wasted before it reaches consumers, largely because of improper handling during transport and storage. This is a paradox at a time when both sustainability and food prices are high on the global agenda.
These are not isolated incidents. They are symptoms of a structural problem.
In far too many supply chains, measurement, documentation, and control take place after the fact, often manually, and often only once the damage has already occurred, if it is detected at all. As a result, losses become predictable, normalized, and built into next year’s budget.
But there are alternatives.
The will to change
The technology exists. That’s why the real challenge lies in implementation, changing long-established habits, and people. That’s because people don’t like changes that expose them to uncomfortable details.
Today, mature and accessible technology can monitor temperature, shock, light, and humidity in real time, from sender to recipient. Data is uploaded automatically to cloud-based systems, deviations are flagged immediately, corrective actions can be taken on the spot, and documentation is generated without manual processes. In such a scenario, everyone benefits: product owners, carriers, consumers, and even insurance providers.
The technology itself is not complicated to use. It is as simple to operate as it is technologically advanced. But adopting it in complex supply chains is demanding.
It requires new processes, clear ownership of data, and a willingness to change established ways of working. Conflicting interests also arise: product owners want maximum visibility and traceability, while transport operators may perceive full transparency as a commercial and legal risk. That said, it is important to note that there are both strong and weak examples on both sides here.
This challenge is real and must be addressed openly. Without a shared understanding of how data should be used and how responsibility should be distributed, even the best technology will have limited impact.
The companies that succeed are those that move from handling deviations to preventing them. When weak links in the value chain are identified early, proactive measures can be taken, reducing losses, improving quality, and strengthening both profitability and sustainability.
This is not an IT project.
It is a leadership project.
3 prerequisites for real improvement
Here’s how you can change your company and help lift the industry to the standard it deserves:
1. Dare to be transparent
Improvement requires insight. Data that reveals deviations can be uncomfortable, but it is essential for lasting change.
2. See the value chain as one team
Transport and logistics are a complex ecosystem. When one link fails, everyone is affected. Shared goals and clear communication are fundamental to quality.
3. Do not let implementation complexity become an excuse
Yes, adopting new technology is demanding. But the alternative – continuing to pay for waste, loss, and reputational damage – is far more costly.
In the end, this is about responsibility. To customers. To consumers. To society.
In an industry that manages such vast values, this should be a given.
