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Information about TI 2015 AGM: 

Annual Congress celebrates Transfrigoroute International’s 60^th anniversary and highlights the importance of temperature-controlled road transport for the food retail sector

Amsterdam, 16 October 2015 – Transfrigoroute International (TI) held its Annual General Meeting on 15^thand 16^th October in Amsterdam under the theme ‘Food Retail in 2020 – Challenges for the Refrigerated Supply Chain’. This year’s AGM also marked the celebration of TI’s 60^th anniversary and received the support of its Platinum sponsor Thermo King.

During his keynote speech, Mr. Wim van de Camp Member of the European Parliament’s Transport Committee and Rapporteur on the mid-term review of the 2011 White Paper on Transport, remarked: “European legislation not only represents challenges for the temperature-controlled transport sector but also offers many opportunities, especially in the field of facilitating the use of new technologies which can bring about a more profitable and sustainable transport sector.”

Commenting on the significance of this year’s AGM, TI President and President of Transfrigoroute Holland Willem Zonnevijlle said: “I am proud to celebrate the 60^th anniversary of an association that is truly a pillar of the industry and policy debate in Europe. TI has worked tirelessly over the years to ensure that the voice of the temperature-controlled transport and logistics industry are heard at the highest levels. I look forward to turning challenges into opportunities, enhancing our relationships with our partners, and continuing to deliver real value for our membership.”

A Key Sector for the Sustainability of the Food Supply Chain

Gathering 150 professionals and high-level stakeholders from across the industrial, political and scientific spheres, participants to the TI AGM were able to hear different and complementary perspectives about the role of temperature-controlled road transport for the sustainability and safety of the food supply chain in Europe.

Walther Ploos van Amstel from the Amsterdam University stressed that it is key that the temperature-controlled road transport industry defines its infrastructure needs in cities and towns and ensures that local governments are able to implement integrated solutions for efficient urban freight.

Many Opportunities to Celebrate

Speakers addressed the diversity of challenges and opportunities for the temperature-controlled road transport sector and highlighted key areas for growth.

Jan-Willem Grievink, General Manager Food Service Instituut Nederland (FSIN) referred to digitalization and shifting society values as game changers that drive the evolution of consumer behaviours and disrupt sectors in which TI operates. Transporters and road haulage representatives referred to the main challenges faced by the sector including the reduction of CO2 emissions, food safety, smart logistics, road safety and noise reduction and Mark van der Drift, ‎Senior Director Ahold Transport at Ahold Europe, presented some of Ahold Transport’s initiatives such as the “Zero Emission” project. 

Looking ahead, Arthur van Dijk, President Transport en Logistiek Nederland, highlighted that the continuously growing demand for conditioned transport remains the biggest growth opportunity for the temperature-controlled road transport sector.

President of TI Willem Zonnevijlle concluded: “Today’s discussions have proven that the future of the temperature-controlled road transport in Europe will be thriving as new technologies grow. It is now our role, as an association, to ensure that we reap all the benefits brought by the opportunities”.

Sponsors of this year’s event included:

Platinum: Thermo King; Gold: DAF; Silver: Schmitz Cargobull, Carrier Transicold; Exhibitors and others: MAN, Mercedes-Benz, FRIGOBLOCK, Continental, Volvo, Krone, TRS, Trimble, Transics, SAF Benelux, DKV,  Scania, T-Comm Telematics, Nomad Power.

The event gathered over 150 participants from 15 different countries and 12 national Transfrigoroute associations.

The 2016 AGM will take place in London on 13^th and 14^th October.

The presentations of TI 2015 AGM can be found in the section TI library.