From flower box to new packaging concept: how cooperation leads to efficiency and sustainability in the floral logistics supply chain. Let us introduce the industry experts who will be joining the panel to discuss this topic during Flower Logistics Africa.
Elizabeth Kimani, General Manager, Sian Maasai Flowers
Kimani has a strong background in post-harvest management. She worked as a Quality and Standards Manager for Sian Roses for ten years, before becoming the General Manager of Maasai Flowers, a Sian Flowers farm in Nairobi, Kenya, in 2014.
Kimani holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Horticulture from Egerton University, Kenya, and a post-graduate certificate in Environmental Management from Nazarene University, Kenya. She is trained in quality management systems, HACCP, environmental management systems, and supply chain management for perishables.
Art Wright, Country Head of Logistics (Kenya), Panalpina
Wright has spent 24 years working in logistics, and started his career with the British Army covering air, ocean, and land-based logistics, before moving into perishables at Panalpina, Kenya, in 2015.
Wright has a passion for solutions that provide long term benefits for clients through route selection and cost cutting. He is currently involved in the Holland Flower Alliance and Royal FloraHolland-sponsored standardisation project, which is trialling his concept of skidded cargo. The project aims to facilitate minimal touch points on products being shipped to increase quality on arrival at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, whilst implementing cost savings to farms and larger operations.
Parit Shah, Director, Silpack Industries Limited
Shah has more than ten years of experience in the packaging industry, specialising in cold chain management and product innovation.
Shah has been instrumental in changing the packaging of flowers, and enabling growers and importers to benefit from reduced losses through the efficient engineering of freight. The developments have reduced the total cost of ownership of packaging and freight costs.
David Dass, General Manager, FlowerWatch
Dass is General Manager at FlowerWatch and is responsible for the commercial development and project oversight for FlowerWatch in East Africa and the Middle East.
Dass has a passion for innovation in fresh logistics and holds a BSc (Hons) in Industrial Design from the Technical University of Eindhoven, Netherlands. He is currently pursuing an MBA at Queen Mary University of London.
Pier Luigi Vigada, Director Eastern and Southern Africa, Air France-KLM-Martinair Cargo
Vigada is the Director of Eastern and Southern Africa for Air France KLM and Martinair Group, leading one of the most important markets in the network. He has been with the Group for 24 years, covering several positions in different countries and markets. He has a deep knowledge of perishables and has worked on various segments including flowers, vegetables, herbs, fruits, meat, and fish.
Vigada developed a passion for Africa during his childhood, and completed his first African assignment in Kenya in 2001. He then moved to Argentina in 2008 to lead the LatAm markets, before heading back to Europe and living in the Netherlands since 2013 when he took up his current position. His favourite aspect of the business is the dynamic and varied nature of the industry.
The following members of the panel have already been introduced on the Meet the team at Flower Logistics Africa article.
Christo van der Meer
Moderator: Wico Santbulte, Director Cargo Development, KLM Cargo
Additional: Eline van den Berg, Program Manager, Holland Flower Alliance
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