Unilode Aviation Solutions, the market leader in outsourced Unit Load Device (ULD) management and repair services, and MdG Group, a supplier of cold chain products and services for the food and pharmaceutical sectors, sign a long-term agreement for the repair of La Couverture, a unique product developed and manufactured by MdG for the protection of temperature-sensitive products in the aviation supply chain.
La Couverture is a hybrid solution between a thermal cover and a temperature-controlled dolly that offers the ease of use of a cover and almost the same protection as a thermal dolly at a much lower cost and without CO2 emission.
The innovative material protects temperature-sensitive cargo on a lower deck pallet during the handling phase on the tarmac between a cargo warehouse and the apron, and the product is fitted with a GPS device for location tracking. Unilode will provide extensive services for La Couverture that includes inspection, repair, storage, transport, handling and reporting within Unilode’s global repair network, initially at 17 key airports across Europe, the Middle East, North America and Asia.
Marco Del Giudice, Managing Director, MdG Group, said: “As we gain market share with La Couverture, our innovative and sustainable protective solution for temperature-sensitive products, the need for extending its useful life through professional maintenance and repair services and continuing to meet IATA Pharma CEIV certification requirements has increased.
Unilode’s expertise gives us confidence that La Couverture will be serviced at the highest standards at the busiest airports across the globe and our product’s three-year lifespan can be significantly increased. We look forward to a successful partnership that will further enhance the value of La Couverture and also make our expansion much easier as we can count on the services of a truly global repair network.”
Marc Groenewegen, Chief Commercial Officer, Unilode, said: “Our new agreement with MdG Group for the repair of La Couverture is a great example for Unilode’s out-of-the-box thinking and demonstrates how our global ULD and galley cart repair network and expertise can be put to good use for other aviation supply chain products as well.
La Couverture is an exciting innovative and carbon-neutral solution that fills a gap in the market and is especially useful for the protection of pharmaceutical products and other temperature-sensitive shipments. We are pleased that Unilode’s repair solutions will be able to contribute to the increased durability and serviceability of La Couverture and look forward to our long-term cooperation.”
