3PLs: Because Avocados Don't Grow in Maine

Avocados don’t grow in Maine. But residents and visitors in Portland, Maine can still take a seat at Scratch Toast Bar and enjoy a delicious avocado toast. How? Logistics companies. More specifically, cold chain logistics companies. When it comes to transporting fresh ingredients, frozen foods, medicine, and other goods that need to be temperature-controlled, 3rd-Party Logistic companies, or 3PLs, help move goods from where they are manufactured or grown to wherever they need to be for use or consumption. The cold chain connects the country and single-handedly creates new possibilities for different communities.

Problems Facing Cold Chain Logistics

Cold chain logistics is all about keeping conditions stable. Unfortunately, stability gets a lot more challenging to maintain given the unpredictability of weather, traffic, and other delays. On top of the unpredictability of the world, 3PLs have to deal with the long and constantly changing lists of regulations and rules for different products. There’s also the issue of power supply. Keeping temperatures low inside when it’s hot outside takes a steady stream of power and a lot of planning.

Temporary Climate Control in the Cold Chain

Temporary climate control is the implementation of an engineered solution that helps managers have a full understanding of the climate in space and gives them the power to change it. When it comes to cold storage and transportation, a temporary climate control solution exacts temperature, humidity, and gives information necessary to aid in ventilation. In general, foods kept below 40 degrees Fahrenheit are at lower risk for attracting pathogens. In other words, the cooler the products are, the safer they’ll be for the consumer. Keeping temperatures low usually results in condensation. When humidity is high, condensation can become a serious problem, damaging 3PL equipment, and the goods being stored and transported. Ventilation is key for keeping 3PL employees safe. Remote monitoring, a key aspect of temporary climate control systems, can alert managers when conditions aren’t optimal for the products being stored. Just as important, alerts occur if certain levels of dangerous particles are in the air so that employees can leave the space until the ventilation system filters out those dangerous particles.

Polygon’s Temporary Climate Control

When 3PLs partner with Polygon for temporary climate control, they gain access to industry-leading equipment and a team of experts who are dedicated to providing you with the service and knowledge necessary to ensure a successful operation. If high temperatures are putting cold chain goods at risk, we can equip your facility or vehicles with energy-efficient cooling and dehumidification equipment, and a state-of-the-art remote monitoring system. The combination of cooling and dehumidification will keep goods safe while remote monitoring gives managers the information they need to make educated decisions and ensure the safety of their employees.

By working with Polygon, 3PLs can improve the level of service provided, as well as the overall efficiency of the system. Contact our team today to learn more about how Polygon can help your bottom line.