CSafe Continues Expansion of Its Temperature-Controlled Shipping Solutions Portfolio with Introduction of Advanced Reusable Pallet Shipper

Loaded with innovation and technology, CSafeAPS provides superior temperature control and industry’s only in-transit thermal capacity indicator

MONROE, Ohio, October 18, 2022 – CSafe, the largest provider of a complete range of active and passive temperature-controlled shipping solutions for the pharmaceutical industry, announced today the launch of its new advanced reusable pallet shipper, CSafeAPS.

The new CSafeAPS was engineered to provide reliable and customizable thermal protection at ambient, refrigerated and frozen temperatures. Rigorously tested against the most challenging ISTA 7D profiles, the CSafeAPS provides continuous protection for more than 120 hours.

In addition to delivering the highest level of thermal protection in a passive pallet shipper, the CSafeAPS features real-time data tracking of GPS location, cargo and ambient temperature, ambient humidity and pressure, shock, tilt and door open/close events. CSafe’s proprietary cloud-based shipment visibility platform enables live monitoring throughout the entire shipping journey, including the thermal capacity indicator, which displays the predicted remaining temperature protection by lane, providing risk mitigation and peace of mind that the product will reach the end destination uncompromised.

CSafeAPS was also designed with ease-of-use in mind. All units are delivered preconditioned, for simple load-and-go functionality. The unit is forkliftable from all sides and is optimized to fit four pallets of product on a standard wide-body cookie sheet with a double pallet.

“CSafe is committed to providing shipping solutions that meet the full range of pharmaceutical cold chain shipping needs,” said CSafe CEO Patrick Schafer. “From large volume diabetes drugs to small parcel vaccine shipments to ground-breaking individual cell & gene therapies, CSafe can provide the optimal solution to ensure medicines reach the patients who need them. Our CSafeAPS is another example of how we saw a need in the market and applied our industry-leading engineering and quality assurance expertise to deliver a solution with more advanced technology, ease of use and reliability than any other passive solution available today.”

About CSafe
CSafe offers the most comprehensive suite of thermal shipping solutions for pharmaceutical cold chain shipping needs around the world. With a “patient-first” focus, deep industry expertise and commitment to innovation, CSafe continues to deliver industry-leading products in both the active and passive segments. CSafe is the only provider with an end-to-end portfolio including active and passive bulk air cargo, parcel, cell and gene and specialty last-mile use cases with the ability to meet the complete range of pharma cold-chain shipping requirements with industry-leading quality and reliability. Any size, any duration and any temperature – CSafe is At the Heart of Your Cold Chain. csafeglobal.com

Media Contact:
Lori Conaway
Global Marketing Communications
+1 405.633.2344
[email protected]

csafeglobal.com

CSafe Global Announces Acquisition of Softbox Systems to Create the Global Leader in Temperature-Controlled Shipping Solutions

[DAYTON, Ohio, US and LONG CRENDON, Buckinghamshire, UK], December 15, 2021 – CSafe Global, the leader in temperature-controlled container solutions for the pharmaceutical industry, announced today that it has acquired Softbox Systems, a provider of passive temperature-controlled packaging solutions for the pharmaceutical, life science and cold chain logistics industries, significantly enhancing CSafe’s passive product portfolio. Together, they will provide the most comprehensive suite of thermal shipping solutions and become a one-stop-shop for all pharmaceutical cold chain shipping needs, enabling delivery of critical temperature-sensitive products, including next generation biologics, cell and gene therapy, and mRNA therapies such as the COVID-19 vaccine.

The combined company, which will operate globally under the CSafe brand, will be the only cold chain platform with an end-to-end active air cargo and passive temperature-controlled packaging business spanning the complete spectrum of cold chain shipping solutions for the pharmaceutical and life sciences industries. Softbox’s well-regarded brands in the passive container space, such as SilverSkin, Silverpod and Tempcell, complement CSafe’s leading active product portfolio, particularly within air cargo. The acquisition will unlock opportunities for innovation as well as enhance CSafe’s sustainable and eco-friendly offerings, with new reusable and recyclable pallet and parcel solutions.

Around the globe, a large industry pipeline of life-saving pharmaceutical therapies with strict temperature profiles is accelerating the need for reliable, temperature-controlled shipping solutions. Moreover, future pharmaceutical advances will require a new generation of qualified fit-for-purpose packaging, along with sophisticated tracking technology, that also helps customers meet their sustainability and recycling goals.

“Through this combination, we will be the partner of choice for cold chain delivery of high value, temperature sensitive pharmaceutical therapies. Both CSafe and Softbox have proven to be reliable partners for customers seeking a secure way to deliver their life-enhancing products around the world,” said Patrick Schafer, CSafe CEO. “We’re thrilled to now offer our customers a platform that provides everything from the highest quality packaging to AI-enabled thermal and kinetic monitoring and logistics management.”

“Our businesses are each rooted in a commitment to excellent customer service and high product quality, which made this combination a natural fit,” said Kevin Valentine, CEO of Softbox. “Together we will proudly continue to partner with our global Pharmaceutical customers to devise and deliver the best solutions for their evolving cold chain shipping needs, supporting the delivery of temperature sensitive lifesaving medicines and vaccines.

“With the addition of Softbox’s product portfolio, CSafe strengthens its global infrastructure across air and ground while expanding its offerings for parcel delivery, all supported by the most advanced technology infrastructure,” said Todd Abbrecht, Co-CEO of Thomas H. Lee Partners, which first invested in CSafe in 2016. “We see an incredible opportunity for the combined company to serve as the international partner of choice for cold chain shipping solutions and remain on the forefront of innovation in the industry.”

“The acquisition of Softbox advances CSafe’s strategy to be the leading cold chain solutions provider with a full suite of products and services to meet the needs of its pharmaceutical customers around the globe,” said Ben Magnano, Co-Managing Partner of Frazier Healthcare Partners. “CSafe is an excellent platform to build upon and we, alongside our partners at THL, will continue to make investments to further strengthen the Company’s leadership position in pharmaceutical cold chain.”

As part of the acquisition, Softbox CEO Kevin Valentine will assume the role of president of CSafe’s Passive Temperature Controlled Packaging Division.

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Media Contact:
For CSafe Global and Softbox Systems:
Lori Conaway
+1 405.633.2344
[email protected]

About CSafe Global
CSafe Global provides end-to-end thermal shipping solutions to the pharmaceutical and life science industries worldwide. An industry innovator, CSafe is the only provider of both active and passive solutions and offers AI-enabled lease forecasting to ensure active container availability and real-time shipment visibility for active and passive containers. CSafe provides industry-leading maintenance and reuse programs ensuring superior product performance and alignment with customer sustainability objectives. With a presence in 150 countries, 24/7 support and 100% container availability, CSafe is well-positioned to be the partner of choice in the cold chain. csafeglobal.com

About Softbox
Softbox is an award-winning temperature control packaging innovator that has been designing and producing high performance passive temperature control packaging solutions for over 25 years. We offer consistent quality to our clients from our strategically located global manufacturing sites throughout Europe, Americas, India and Asia Pacific.

We have formed long standing partnerships with the world’s leading pharmaceutical, clinical research, biotech and logistics companies, and apply innovative thinking to overcome the challenges that our clients face in managing the Cold Chain when shipping temperature sensitive clinical trial and commercialised products.

For more information about Softbox, visit www.softboxsystems.com

About Thomas H. Lee Partners
Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P. (“THL”) is a premier private equity firm investing in middle-market growth companies exclusively in three sectors: Financial Services, Healthcare, and Technology & Business Solutions. THL couples deep sector expertise through our Identified Sector Opportunity (“ISO”) process with dedicated internal operating resources from our Strategic Resource Group (“SRG”) to transform and build great companies of lasting value in partnership with management. The Firm’s domain expertise and resources help to build great companies with an aim to accelerate growth, improve operations and drive long-term sustainable value. Since 1974, THL has raised more than $30 billion of equity capital, invested in over 160 companies and completed more than 500 add-on acquisitions representing an aggregate enterprise value at acquisition of over $210 billion. For more information, please visit www.thl.com.

Softbox successfully supports Pfizer in the global cold chain distribution of COVID-19 vaccines

Long Crendon, Buckinghamshire, UK, 10 March 2021 – Softbox, a leading global innovator and provider of passive temperature control packaging solutions for the pharmaceutical, life science and cold chain logistics industries, is proud to support Pfizer in the distribution of Covid-19 vaccines through the supply of a high-performance temperature-controlled parcel shipper developed specifically for Ultra-Low Temperature applications.

Softbox supported Pfizer with the development of the highly specialised and reusable Ultra-Low Temperature (ULT) shipper to help them with the distribution of Ultra-Low Temperature vaccines and storing them at Point of Use (POU) sites.

Ultra-Low Temperature vaccines, such as that developed by Pfizer – BioNTech, uses mRNA (messenger RNA) technology and must be stored at temperatures between -90°C to -60°C to ensure that the vaccine’s quality and efficacy is maintained. The Softbox ULT shipper is capable of maintaining the required temperature during shipping of Covid-19 vaccines between -90°C to -60°C for at least 10 days unopened.

The highly innovative shipper utilises high performance insulation materials, incorporated in a robust and reusable construction, in conjunction with dry ice, to ensure long term ultra-low temperature control. Based on current guidelines, the Softbox ULT shipper can be opened twice a day, for up to three minutes at a time. This allows clinicians at Point of Use (POU) sites to access the vaccine vials required for each day’s immunisation clinics without exposing the remaining vaccine stored within the shipper to ambient temperatures, thus ensuring integrity of the vaccine is maintained.

When correctly managed, the Softbox ULT shipper can be used to store vaccines for in excess of 30 days. Through a process called “Re-Icing” the dry ice in the Softbox ULT shipper can be topped up ensuring maximum thermal protection of the highly temperature sensitive mRNA vaccines.

“Softbox’s extensive knowledge and experience in temperature control packaging solutions and the cold chain industry was the right choice for us. They immediately understood the unprecedented task at hand that was in front of us with the distribution of the vaccine, and quickly started to work with us to develop a unique packaging system that does not waste any precious vaccine and creates a seamless experience for customers.” said Tanya Alcorn, Vice President, Biopharma Global Supply Chain for Pfizer. “Their technical capabilities and innovative approach helped us achieve an excellent result in a very short period of time.”

Kevin Valentine, CEO of Softbox, said: “We are immensely proud to be playing such an important role in the fight against Covid-19.  We worked extremely hard during 2020 to help Pfizer develop this highly innovative ULT shipper, establishing one of the world’s largest fleets of reusable temperature-controlled parcel shippers in the process, and setting up two world-class service centres to support ULT shipper refurbishment.”

“It’s a huge honour to have the opportunity to support the distribution of these vital vaccines at the right temperature, maintain their integrity and help save millions of lives”.

For all media enquiries:

Americas
Kim Banks, The 100 Team
704-953-9303
[email protected]

Softbox appoints new Technical Solutions Specialist to further extend technical support to customers

Long Crendon, Buckinghamshire, UK, 12 January 2021 – Softbox, a leading global innovator and provider of passive temperature controlled packaging solutions for the pharmaceutical, life science and cold chain logistics industries, has announced the appointment of Matthew Tomkinson as a Technical Solutions Specialist.

Matt joins Softbox’s Technical Solutions team and will be responsible for supporting the global commercial team through in-depth cold chain knowledge, market insights, strategy and advice on cold chain implementation.

Matt has spent the past 18 years at Pfizer as their cold chain and network solutions specialist, becoming a Temperature Controlled Logistics Subject Matter Expert (TCL SME), where he helped establish a world class temperature-controlled distribution network. He quickly became a trusted advisor on best-in-class temperature control logistics solutions. Matt’s ethos is ‘ship right first time, every time’.

“I’m delighted to join Softbox and use my cold chain technical knowledge and market insights to help Softbox and its customers achieve the best possible cold chain results,” said Matt Tomkinson about his new role. “I look forward to working with both the commercial and technical teams to help further develop our innovative solutions and help customers achieve their objectives.”

Kevin Valentine, CEO at Softbox, commented: “I’m delighted to have Matt join the Softbox family. His extensive cold chain experience will add great value to our customers. Matt understands the complexity of the cold chain industry and how complex processes need to be put in place to achieve the desired results.”

Softbox donates thermal covers for safe delivery of vital medicines to the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Long Crendon, Buckinghamshire, UK, 26 August 2020 – Softbox, a leading global innovator and provider of temperature control packaging systems and thermal covers for the life science and logistics industries, has helped protect temperature-sensitive shipments of essential medicines to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in partnership with the charity International Health Partners (IHP).

To help maintain the temperature integrity of the shipped medicines, Softbox donated its Silverskin™ thermally insulating pallet covers, which were used by IHP to protect shipments of medicines to the DRC. The transport of these medicines was especially challenging because of logistical challenges caused by COVID-19. Shipments contained Essential Health Packs, each pack including around 800 donated treatments of antibiotics, painkillers and other basic primary health medicines.

The first shipment of 24 packs went to IHP’s partner International Medical Corps in Goma, and the second, with 18 packs, went to the Panzi Hospital in Bukavu, established by Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr Denis Mukwege to treat survivors of sexual violence.

“We do our best to ensure all products reach their destination in the same condition we’d expect in the UK’s pharmacies,” explained Colleen Harrisson-Dodds, IHP’s Director of Logistics. “The medicines must be kept below 25 degrees Celsius, and SilverSkin™ thermal covers help enable us to do that.

“When cargo changes planes or is unloaded, pallets might be left on the tarmac in the hot sun. Softbox® Silverskin™ thermal covers reflect the heat and make sure the medicines don’t get too hot.

“With uncertainties unleashed by COVID-19, such as scarcer flights and more complex logistics, such protection has been vital,” said Colleen.

Panzi Hospital in Bukavu is one of two in DRC chosen to treat COVID-19 patients, and the shipment medicines have treated more than 1,500 patients there. The medicines sent to Goma are helping those fighting the latest Ebola outbreak.

Marissa Pledger, Project Manager for Panzi Hospital and Foundations, said: “In regular times it is difficult for us get the medicines we need, but during COVID-19, with border closures and the decrease in flights, all supplies in Eastern Congo – from medical supplies to regular food – are significantly diminished. These packs have allowed us to keep our pharmacy pretty well stocked during this time.”

Since the start of this year, IHP has sent more than four million treatments from the UK to vulnerable people without access to healthcare.

In 2019, Softbox donated temperature-control packaging systems to IHP for them to send temperature sensitive chemotherapy medicines to children with cancer in Tanzania.

“It’s a pleasure to be working with IHP again to provide the safe transportation of life-saving medicines,” said Clive Bryant, Product and Marketing Director at Softbox. “COVID-19 is making international shipments of this nature much more challenging but also more vital than ever before. We’re proud to have been able to support the delivery of these medicines to those that need it most.”