Published 2025-11-03

At Arlanda Airport, Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) works to ensure that pharmaceuticals and other sensitive goods are stored in the right temperature environments before and after air freight. Temperature mapping in terminals and trailers has helped WFS create stable storage and transportation climates that future-proof cargo handling.

The right temperature can be the difference between effective medicines and unusable goods. The air freight company WFS, which handles pre- and post-transports at Arlanda Airport with great precision, knows this. Its customers are both airlines and freight forwarders. Goods arriving by plane are transported to companies and organizations that have ordered the goods, while freight to be transported by air is collected and delivered to the airport on time.
– Often you don’t know today what will happen tomorrow. It could be someone calling in the morning and saying: “We have 100 pallets that need to be picked up for a cargo flight tonight. Can you do it?” Then you just have to get moving,” says Anders Schedin, Transport Manager at WFS.

Meticulous preparation for shipping

In WFS’s terminal at Arlandastad, extensive and important preparatory work takes place. All incoming goods are x-rayed, labeled and carefully checked. Not least if it involves dangerous goods such as explosives and radioactive goods. About six hours before the flight is due to take off, the goods are transported to WFS’s terminal at Arlanda Airport. The terminal is divided into three zones: an area for ordinary goods, a room with a controlled room temperature of 15-25°C and a refrigerated area that maintains 2-8°C.
Under careful procedures, the goods are passed through the terminal and packed for air transportation. Often, goods are placed on thin aluminum pallets with mesh covers (called ULDs – Unit Load Devices), which are then rolled into the cargo holds of the aircraft. On arrival, the opposite is done: aluminum pallets are reloaded into standard pallets for road transport.

Tough storage requirements for medicines

Around half of the air freight handled by WFS consists of pharmaceuticals. And the volumes are growing rapidly all the time. It involves shipping both finished medicines and ingredients for the production of new medicines. The requirements of both the Medical Products Agency and the pharmaceutical companies are strict: all pharmaceutical products must be stored at the right temperatures around the clock. To meet these requirements, envirotainers are sometimes used, which are special refrigerated containers that maintain stable temperatures throughout transportation.
– Previously, short deviations during transhipments were accepted. But after Covid, the World Health Organization (WHO) has tightened the rules. Nowadays, sensitive medicines are never allowed to be outside their temperature ranges, says Anders Schedin.

Mapping provided control and insights

Ensuring unbroken cold chains requires accurate measurement data. Here the cooperation with Nordtec plays a central role. Nordtec’s field technicians have calibrated the sensors in the refrigeration units inside WFS’s trucks (at measuring points -15, +4 and +20 °C), and have carried out mappings in the terminals and in a trailer. In the terminal at Arlandastad, mapping has been done in a warehouse with room temperature. And in the WFS terminal at the airport, both the room temperature warehouse and the cold room have been mapped.
The mappings provided WFS with new, valuable insights. In one cold room, it was discovered that temperatures rose sharply when doors were opened. The solution was to adjust the sensitivity of the units and install curtains. These measures have created a more stable climate for the goods. The results were also an eye-opener for Schedin and his team.
– Even if a cold room feels cold, it doesn’t always mean that the temperature is right everywhere. Thanks to the mapping, we now know where in our spaces it is best to place goods,” he says.

Time-pressured assignments every day

WFS’s day-to-day operations continue to be characterized by flexibility to solve a wide variety of transport missions. One day it may be vaccines for aid organizations, the next it may be emergency spare parts for a power plant. The time window is often minimal. At the same time, regulatory and customer requirements are tightening further. This makes it more important than ever to have complete control over the climate in all storage and transportation areas. Therefore, temperature mapping continues. The next step will be a mapping of the new cold room that WFS has set up in the terminal in Arlandastad.
– There are so many incoming refrigerated goods that we need to unload and temporarily store goods in Arlandastad before they can be transported to the airport for further shipping,” says Anders Schedin.

“We could work as usual”

He appreciates the cooperation with Nordtec in several ways. Both for the professional support and constructive dialog.
– “We have gained a completely different understanding of the freight climate thanks to Nordtec. They have explained in an educational way why we need to make certain changes and – not least – what we need to do to achieve good temperature safety in important areas,” says Anders Schedin and concludes:
– “At the same time, Nordtec has understood that we cannot close the business for a whole week when they carry out mappings. They have also solved this very well. Operations have continued and we have been able to work just as usual during the mappings.

Published 2026-03-23

Every week, up to a thousand pallets of temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals pass through logistics company Ahréns Åkeri’s terminal in Södertälje. To meet strict requirements and minimize the risk of damaged and unusable medicines, the company has hired Nordtec to take a comprehensive approach to monitoring and controlling key temperature-sensitive environments.

– The authorities’ requirements regarding temperature control and unbroken cold chains have been tightened in recent years, but this has not really affected us because we have set very high standards for ourselves from the start.

That’s what Mertzi Palmroth says. He is Pharma Manager at Ahrén’s Åkeri, a family-owned logistics company that provides air and sea transportation for leading pharmaceutical manufacturers. The transportation starts at the manufacturers, where Ahrén’s specially trained drivers pick up the goods and drive them to Ahrén’s terminal in Södertälje. At the terminal, a handful of people work continuously to receive deliveries and plan further transportation.

The goods are either shipped by air via, for example, Arlanda Airport in Stockholm, or the products are loaded into sea containers and transported to the nearby port of Södertälje or Norvikshamnen in Nynäshamn. The aim is to ensure that the medicines do not stay long at the terminal.
– “We store some products for a short time, but our ambition is to send all goods on within 48 hours,” says Mertzi Palmroth.

Terminal with controlled temperature zones

The 1,200 square meter terminal has an ambient temperature of between 2 and 25°C. Inside the terminal there is also a 120 square meter cold room with a capacity for about 100 pallets where the temperature is kept between 2 and 8°C. All extra temperature-sensitive goods are handled there. An important part of the logistics is the design of the terminal flow.

The unloading quay is directly adjacent to a lock that leads straight into the cold room. This is one of several special solutions that allow Ahréns to maintain unbroken cold chains all the way from the pharmaceutical manufacturers to the terminal and on to end customers around the world.

Switched to testo Saveris 1

Ahréns changed its temperature monitoring system about a year ago. The reason for the change was that the company wanted a more cost-effective solution and access to Swedish support.

Since Nordtec has been helping Ahréns with calibrations for a long time, it was natural to contact them and ask for suggestions for a solution. As a result, there are now five temperature sensors in the terminal and six sensors in the cold room. All are linked to the advanced but user-friendly testo Saveris 1 monitoring system.

Simple and good alarm functions

The new system has brought a number of benefits to Ahréns.
– To begin with, everything is in Swedish, which makes it easy to get started and work with the system. Then we have got much better alarm functions. Many of our operators are connected and receive direct notifications via SMS and email if there is any deviation. If perhaps a temperature has exceeded a threshold value, in the event of a sensor failure or if there is a power failure,” says Mertzi Palmroth and continues:
– “In addition, we have a backup system that runs on ordinary batteries. So even if we have a power failure in the building, the system still logs and alarms using battery power for many hours. Our previous system was completely power dependent. So if there was an outage, we would have had to stand with pen and paper to keep track of the temperatures. The new system not only simplifies day-to-day work, but is a real help in the event of a crisis.

Calibration for compliance with regulatory requirements

For pharmaceutical logistics, calibrated measuring equipment is a regulatory requirement from the Medical Products Agency. Nordtec is responsible for Ahrén’s annual calibrations.
– It’s very easy to work with Nordtec. All we really need to do is open the doors and they do the rest. Their technicians calibrate all the sensors on site in one day and deliver the certificates shortly afterwards.

In addition to calibrations, Nordtec has also performed summer and winter mapping of both the terminal and the cold room. The mappings have given Ahréns black and white where it is coldest and warmest in their spaces. And that there are no critical temperature levels anywhere.

Special solution for passive containers

Ahréns has a freezer container that has also been mapped by Nordtec. The container is used to freeze cold packs that are then placed in packaged pharmaceuticals for transport in so-called passive containers. That is, transport containers without their own refrigeration units.

The refrigerated clamps are first frozen in the container for four days at -20°C. Then the cold packs are moved to the cold room for a few days, which activates the gel in the packs and can ensure stable temperatures even during longer air transportation.

“Meaningful and exciting work”

In addition to regular calibrations and mappings, Ahrén performs its own functional checks on a daily basis.
– We perform a range of tests. For example, we can pull out a sensor to see that the system continues to send alarms. This gives us peace of mind knowing that everything is working properly.

Pharmaceutical logistics is an industry where conditions are constantly changing. Today, Ahréns has the capacity to meet demand and at the same time the opportunity to expand if necessary. Unexpected and sudden global events often have a direct impact on operations. In such cases, it is important to be able to adapt and act immediately.
– No two days are the same. The external environment affects air transport all the time. If routes are canceled, we need to find other solutions quickly.

It is these changing challenges that make the job so stimulating, says Mertzi Palmroth.
– People around the world are constantly dependent on medicines. Therefore, we are constantly facing new logistical challenges. This is what makes my job so meaningful and exciting.

Published 2025-07-01

Proper storage of products in the life sciences and food industry is directly linked to maintaining your own and your customers’ quality standards and complying with applicable laws. In this text, we highlight how monitoring the storage climate, together with measures such as temperature mapping and temperature alarms, help protect sensitive products.

Shelving systems, packing and picking, inflows and outflows, fill rates… Facility managers, operations managers and warehouse managers have many factors to consider to create stable and efficient storage of sensitive products. One important aspect is that climates are adapted to different products. Therefore, it is crucial that monitoring systems are installed, for example, in cold rooms where temperature-sensitive goods are stored.

Challenges in life sciences

In life sciences – such as the pharmaceutical industry, biotechnology and laboratory operations – many temperature-sensitive goods require perfectly temperate climates. These range from vaccines to biological samples, which can also be sensitive to light and humidity. Here are some common challenges:

• Temperature deviations: many substances need to be stored in environments with strict temperature monitoring, e.g. within ranges such as 2-8°C or around -90°C. Even small deviations can render some products unusable.
• Impact of humidity and light: some chemicals and biological materials degrade in high humidity or UV exposure.
• Refrigeration and freezer failures: technical failures or power outages can lead to the loss of sensitive products.
• Cross-contamination: improper separation can negatively affect sensitive materials.
• Requirements from authorities: life science is heavily regulated by e.g. GMP, GDP, EMA, which places demands on documentation and traceability.

Challenges in food

Food products are sensitive to both temperature and humidity. Improper storage can quickly cause bacterial growth and spoil the goods. An effective solution is to install a cold room monitoring system. Here are some common challenges in the food industry:

• Inadequate cold chains: food must be kept within precise temperature limits at all times throughout the supply chain.
• Wrong humidity: low humidity dries out foods, while too high humidity levels can create mold and bacteria growth.
• Poor air circulation and gas environment: many foods require a modified atmosphere (e.g. low oxygen content) to keep longer.
• Poor stock management: without proper rotation (first in, first out), older products can sit around for too long.
• Traceability: regulations such as HACCP and EU regulations require control and documentation at every stage.

How to ensure optimal climate conditions

Protecting sensitive products requires both reliable technology and clear procedures. Here are some measures you should implement:

1. Monitoring with temperature alarms: install data loggers with temperature (and humidity if needed) sensors connected to a monitoring system. The system logs data continuously and alerts automatically in case of anomalies, via SMS and/or email.
2. Quality assured equipment: use calibrated measurement technology in cold rooms, freezers and other storage environments. Calibration ensures that your equipment gives reliable readings.
3. Temperature mapping: performs mapping in both winter and summer to identify temperature variations within storage areas.
4. Backup and emergency solutions: install backup power systems such as UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) and have access to dry ice or cooling gel in case of emergency.
5. Organized and hygienic storage: apply good storage practices (GSP) – label clearly, separate incompatible substances, keep clean and prevent pests.

Published 2025-05-27

To meet stringent regulatory requirements while future-proofing its operations, Oriola has chosen to replace its legacy monitoring system with the testo Saveris 1 measurement system. The system, installed at the company’s two sites in Mölnlycke and Enköping, plays a crucial role in ensuring optimal temperatures and humidity in the environments where sensitive medicines and health products are stored.

Oriola plays a central role in Swedish pharmaceutical distribution. The business covers everything from deliveries to pharmacies and hospitals to veterinary clinics and other healthcare institutions. It is a highly regulated industry where guidelines from the Swedish Medical Products Agency, the Swedish Food Agency and the Swedish Board of Agriculture, among others, set the framework. All handling must be done in accordance with GDP (Good Distribution Practice).

– We also have constant audits. Almost every week we are audited by a manufacturer who stores products with us. The customer then wants to see documentation showing that our measuring equipment is validated and calibrated, what settings and procedures we have for alarms, how any deviations are followed up and rectified – and so on,” says Ingemar Järsand, property manager at Oriola.

Hundreds of loggers and sensors
The company’s facilities in Mölnlycke (southeast of Gothenburg) and Enköping (northwest of Stockholm) have a combined storage and logistics area of around 50,000 square meters. Operations in Mölnlycke include an automated high-bay warehouse for pharmaceuticals and health products, and in Enköping there is an automated picking system for repackaging.

The new monitoring system is designed to meet high standards of measurement accuracy, safety and documentation. In Mölnlycke, 155 data loggers have been installed with a total of 220 temperature sensors and 25 humidity sensors. In Enköping, there are 142 data loggers for 180 temperature sensors and 20 humidity sensors. The data loggers are used to monitor a variety of carefully tempered environments.

– The climates in which we store pharmaceutical and healthcare products span a wide range of temperatures: from storing vaccines at -90 degrees to storing pharmaceutical and healthcare products at room temperatures. But whatever the environment, we need to have total control of the climate – around the clock,” says Ingemar Järsand.

Overview and flexibility
The decision to choose testo Saveris 1 was based on several factors. The old monitoring system was wired and required extensive physical installation for changes. The new system is wireless, which makes it much easier to customize and expand the monitoring as the business continuously changes.

– Thanks to the new system, controlled relocation of products can be done quickly and cost-effectively without cabling or major remodeling,” says Ingemar Järsand and continues:
– “The system is also very easy to understand. We use a program for the administration of sensors and alarms, as well as a user-friendly web interface – Cockpit – which we work with daily. Cockpit is very clear and easy to use. When alarms occur, we quickly get an overview and can act before any deviations occur.

The new monitoring system is set to log measurement data every five minutes and alerts in several stages: at an early stage, an alert is sent, allowing Ingemar and colleagues to quickly investigate and fix the problem before an emergency alarm is triggered. This minimizes the risk of product loss and ensures that all climate parameters are within approved limits.

Installation, validation and support
testo Saveris 1 was delivered by Nordtec, who also installed the base station, all data loggers and sensors, and performed a comprehensive and thorough validation of the entire system. During an initial period, a remote desktop solution is used, which means that Nordtec can support Oriola with settings and troubleshooting remotely.

– Everything has gone very smoothly. In addition, the cooperation has been both instructive and fun. We are super happy with the system. It works exactly as it should, is easy to use and makes it easy for us to move temperature and humidity measurements when needed,” says Ingemar.

– This system allows us to confidently meet the requirements of our customers and authorities, both now and in the future. Thanks to Testos Saveris 1 and Nordtec’s support, we have the tools to continue to help ensure that medicines are stored and distributed in perfect condition to healthcare providers and ultimately private individuals who need the products,” concludes Ingemar Järsand.

Published 2024-05-14

There is an increasing demand for IVF treatments worldwide. This means that the medtech company Vitrolife’s growth journey continues. A key prerequisite for further expansion is continuous, safe and accurate climate monitoring in a wide range of environments.

Since its inception in 1994 in Gothenburg, Sweden, Vitrolife has developed into an international company that develops and manufactures products used for in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments. In 2011, Vitrolife acquired Igenomix, a leader in reproductive genetic testing mainly for IVF clinics. Together they are now Vitrolife Group, a global leader in reproductive health. Today, the company has manufacturing and laboratory operations in Europe, the United States and Asia. The group employs 1 100 people and is present in nearly 130 markets around the world.

Group management, as well as significant development work and manufacturing, remain in Gothenburg. It produces media, i.e. nutrient solutions that provide embryos with optimal environments during IVF treatments. Other major products are pipettes and aspiration needles of various dimensions used for handling eggs and embryos.

“We measure quite broadly”
– Our products need to be tested and stored safely, which means that we need to keep a close eye on temperatures in particular,” says Mattias Uddén, Head of Technology at Vitrolife.

It involves extensive measurements of temperatures in different refrigeration and freezing environments. Furthermore, heating conditions and humidity are monitored in many incubators, as well as temperature levels in clean rooms and storage areas.

– In other words, we measure quite broadly, says Mattias Uddén.

To keep track of all climates in critical environments, Uddén and his colleagues use the testo Saveris 1 measurement system. The customized system at Vitrolife consists of about 80 deployed data loggers that continuously deliver data from over a hundred measuring points.

Simple and user-friendly
Last fall, Vitrolife decided to upgrade the measurement system. Much of the existing measurement equipment (dating from 2014) was retained and supplemented with the very latest measurement technology from Testo. “Both financially and from a sustainability perspective, it felt good to be able to combine old and new donors,” says Mattias Uddén.

– “What I like about the Saveris system is that it’s easy to understand and user-friendly,” he says and continues:

– We can calibrate equipment ourselves, replace sensors and add new sensors relatively painlessly.

In connection with the update of the measurement system, Nordtec was hired to perform a validation. That is, a comprehensive review of the system down to the smallest detail. Having a validated measurement system feels safe, says Mattias Uddén.

Validation increased knowledge
– After many years of use with moving sensors and documentation that did not quite keep up, it was nice to get the whole system validated. In this way, we can ensure that measurements, data storage and related functions work properly,” says Mattias and continues:

– We now have clear maps of where all the sensors are located and all my technicians have increased their knowledge of the system. It is not locked in that a few can check things out but the whole group can do it.

One of the reasons why Vitrolife has chosen to invest in testo Saveris 1 is the possibility of receiving automatic alarms via SMS and alarms at specified limit values. Stable cooling, freezing and heating climates are essential for the medtech company. The slightest increase or decrease in temperature and humidity is devastating for the quality of IVF products.

– During office hours, we are the technicians who keep track. After 6 p.m., we have an emergency response team that receives any limit value alarms. When it comes to cold rooms, we need to be able to act immediately. That’s why we have chosen to hire an external company that is on call and can respond quickly if necessary,” says Mattias Uddén.

Increased measurement needs for new processes
Although Vitrolife has experienced impressive growth in recent years, it has no plans to slow down. On the contrary, a lot will happen in the coming years. Among other things, large parts of the needle department will be automated and the production volume will increase significantly.

This in turn means an increased need for measurements to ensure optimal climates for new processes and environments. With the testo Saveris 1, Vitrolife is equipped for the future. It is a system that is easy to scale up. Testo also continuously develops all parts of the system, to meet changing market demands.

And if Mattias Uddén needs technical backup, he knows that Nordtec support is just a phone call away.

– I feel that my technicians receive quick help and that they “talk in a farmer’s way”, so that everyone understands. Everything is going incredibly smoothly!

Published 2024-02-09

Djurfarmacia in Trollhättan delivers large quantities of medicines to private individuals, animal breeders, veterinarians and animal hospitals around the country. To ensure that the cold chain is maintained throughout and the right temperature vaccines and medicines reach their recipients, extensive validation of the climates of different transport boxes is carried out.

Djurfarmacia operates a pharmacy, a veterinary clinic, wholesale trade with pharmacies and distribution to a variety of target groups: private individuals, animal owners, animal breeders, food producers and animal health care providers.

The company started in 2007 and has had an impressive growth journey. The current turnover is 420 million and the business employs 46 people. Virtually the entire workforce is involved in the extensive distance selling of no less than 17,000 items in the Trollhättan warehouse.

– We account for a very large share of deliveries to, among others, pig producers in Sweden. We also carry a significant amount of medicine for sheep and cattle across the country. Vaccination is known to reduce the use of antibiotics. Prevention rather than treatment, which we are good at in Sweden. “Our deliveries of vaccines in particular make us a significant player in food supply,” says Christina Molin, CEO of Djurfarmacia.

Temperature logs and calibration
Djurfarmacia has been working with Nordtec for several years. Nordtec has installed around 20 data loggers from Testo for temperature monitoring in various spaces and performs calibration of all measuring equipment on site at the animal pharmacy once a year. In order to meet the increasingly stringent requirements of the Swedish Medical Products Agency and to be able to guarantee the delivery of reliable medicines, Nordtec has recently been hired for an extensive validation assignment.

– We do this to demonstrate that we know how to pack to maintain the right temperatures. Our distance selling license from the Swedish Medical Products Agency requires that all medicines are at the right temperature from us until they are handed over to customers. That’s why we do this kind of survey from time to time,” says Christina Molin.

Mapping of 36 transport boxes
The validation involves Nordtec’s delegates, calibration manager Maria Almestål and calibration engineer Linda Wiman, together with Linda Henriksson and Rickard Fredriksson at Djurfarmacia, packing no less than 36 transport boxes of different sizes. The drawers are filled with a variety of products and freezer bulbs. A sensor connected to a data logger is placed in a pharmaceutical package in each box, which is then placed at normal room temperature, or in a hot or cold room to simulate transportation with different ambient conditions. After 48 hours, the logs should be read to see if the temperatures in the transport boxes are still within the prescribed ranges of either +2 to +8 °C or -20 to -30 °C (depending on the medicine). This is the most comprehensive validation that Djurfarmacia has done so far.

– 12-18 pallet cages loaded with pharmaceutical packages leave our loading dock daily. The purpose of this validation is simply to ensure uninterrupted cold chains – even after longer transports of up to three days,” says Christina Molin, adding:

– We want to ensure that the medicines are transported in the right conditions to our end customers, regardless of the season and the ambient temperature.

What is your biggest challenge ahead?
– To continue to offer efficient and secure deliveries to our customers. Our goal is not to grow but to keep our customers by offering them a high level of service and safe transportation.

– We moved two years ago and doubled our space, but we already need more space and are planning an extension in a few years. Our wholesale business, as well as our other activities, is growing steadily. We have increased by 10-15% every year, although, as I said, this is not our target. This is clear evidence that our knowledge and service is appreciated and important.

Published 2022-08-12

Fujirebio has 50 years of experience in providing in vitro diagnostic (IVD) solutions. The company is involved in everything from developing and manufacturing to selling robust IVD products worldwide. The entire operation is permeated by strict requirements to ensure that all medical raw materials are stored at exactly the right temperature at all times. To meet these legal requirements, Fujirebio uses the testo Saveris 1 monitoring system.

The report team from Nordtec meets Facility Manager Alexander Gatara on site at Fujirebio’s premises in Gothenburg to see how testo Saveris 1 helps Alexander and his colleagues in their daily work.

What exactly do you do here at Fujirebio?
– We produce reagents for chemical analysis,” says Alexander. “The big players in medical technology use our raw material to perform tests with their analytical instruments, which they develop and sell to hospital laboratories,” says Alexander Gatara.

– We also use the raw material ourselves, to produce our own analysis kits. They are used to diagnose a wide range of conditions, both for research and clinical use.

Can you describe your Saveris system?
– There are many donors, over 30 of them. All are wirelessly connected to 5 converters, which in turn are connected to the Ethernet network. Via a switch, the values are transmitted to a computer and the Saveris base station.

– The software is on a virtual computer, so I can go in and look at the values from any computer. If I’m on call and at home when an alert comes in via text or email, I can log in and see what’s wrong.

– This allows me to directly assess the urgency of the problem. For example, if a freezer is currently being defrosted, it is not surprising that the temperature rises.

– All the devices we use also have a device manager and they also receive alarms via SMS when a measured value is not within the limit values. Then we have to go and check what is wrong.

– But we have huge restrictions on who can be inside the system. It’s just me and one other person. So when someone needs to get a report, one of us does it. It is possible to introduce different access levels in the system and allow more users, but we haven’t done that yet.

Are there requirements from authorities?
– This is a heavily regulated activity and the Medical Products Agency, among others, carries out inspections. It is important for temperature levels to be recorded, for alarms to be sent out to the right people and so on. Customers also have specific requirements, so they can also come and visit us to inspect our processes.

Are you satisfied with testo Saveris 1?
– I am very happy. I don’t really see anything missing.

What is the procedure for calibrating measuring equipment?
– We don’t actually disassemble any sensors and send them off for calibration. I calibrate them myself on site using a specific method to meet all the requirements of our business. All sensors are checked once a year. If the deviations are too large, I make an adjustment and then recalibrate. Everything is, of course, documented according to the instructions developed for the activity.

– “Almost all Saveris sensors can be adjusted, so it shouldn’t be a problem,” Mattias adds. Otherwise, you would have to rely on calibration protocols and add or subtract the measurement deviation manually at each reading.

– We also bought the adjustment software for the testo Saveris 1 just to be able to calibrate and adjust on our own.

What are the main advantages of the monitoring system?
– It is a large, complex system with many sensors, yet it is easy to manage. In addition, I can create the necessary reports at any time and at least once a month we run a report on the whole system.

What do you measure?
– We measure temperature values in refrigerators and freezers where we store the raw material, i.e. the reagent materials we produce here. In the freezers, we keep -75°C and the sensors are inserted through tight seals. Looking at the system as a whole, we have sensors that measure everything from -196°C to +65°C.

Which measurement quantities?
– We only measure temperature. We have freezers, cold rooms and even a cryogenic freezer for living cells. They are then used to make cultures in the lab, which we use in the raw material.

How was temperature monitoring managed before testo Saveris 1?
– A long time ago, we only used the freezers and refrigerators’ own sensors. They were connected to a system that sent alarms to Securitas. We could not see temperature levels before and after the event that triggered the alarm and we could not document the temperature levels over time.

– So there was no history. But now it’s 8 or 9 years since we installed the testo Saveris 1 and we have gradually expanded it with more and more sensors. Now it has grown really big.

Published 2022-08-12

In 2007, Djurfarmacia started wholesaling. Soon there was a shop selling personal care products for animals and a veterinary clinic. Three years later, they also received permission to open the Apotek Trollet animal pharmacy. In order to comply with legal requirements that medicines are stored at the right temperatures, Djurfarmacia has commissioned a so-called mapping of the premises.

In short, mapping involves measuring the temperature at different locations and heights in a space over a period of time. After Nordtec had mapped the temperature levels at Djurfarmacia, we had a chat with pharmacy manager Anna Gustafsson and Cecilia Berg, responsible for wholesale.

What are the different types of warehouses you have?
– “We have stocks everywhere,” say both Anna and Cecilia, laughing. Both cold and hot, both room and refrigerator temperature, for many different purposes.

In which layers was mapping carried out?
– All of them, in fact. Our three cold rooms are now mapped and there was also a room temperature room that was mapped. We are required to have the right temperatures in all premises where medicines are present. Both in the retail part – that is, the pharmacy – and in the warehouses.

Why was Nordtec awarded the contract?
– We already knew Nordtec because we have been using the remote monitoring system testo Saveris 1 for a long time, which Nordtec supplied and installed. In this system, we receive alarms if there are abnormal temperatures somewhere.

– We have also always had Nordtec as support when it comes to temperature monitoring, so we felt it was natural to turn to you.

How long did the measurements last?
– We think it lasted five days, but it was a bit different because one of the cold rooms was brand new. One of the cold rooms also had to be readjusted before mapping, which took some extra time. If I remember correctly, it took place over a weekend as well.

– In the meantime, we had to use the warehouses as usual, opening and closing doors etc. to show how the temperatures varied in normal cases.

How was the business affected in the meantime?
– Not so much actually. It was just a matter of remembering to open and close doors, so that the situation would resemble normal working days.

How did you use the report after mapping, did you need to make any changes to meet the requirements?
– Maria (Almestål, lab manager) from Nordtec explained very well how everything was connected in the report, so that we could then make a decision that we were completely satisfied with.

– For example, one of the coolers was on the verge of being a bit too cold, but we discussed this and decided that it was okay.

Nordtec has also carried out a field calibration on your premises. What type of measuring equipment was calibrated?
– It was the entire testo Saveris 1 system that was calibrated on site here with us. Today we have 22 or 23 donors I think and it would be very complicated for us without this help. We can’t just take the sensors down and send them in for calibration and not have any temperature monitoring in the meantime. We need to keep a constant eye on the temperature.

Where do the temperature requirements you have to meet come from?
– This is required by the Medical Products Agency. We have both pharmacy and wholesale operations and there are great demands on temperature monitoring in several of our operations.

– Having a good monitoring system and making sure that the equipment is calibrated is important. And now we know that all donors are okay for a whole year!

Tips for others ordering mapping or calibration, anything they should consider or prepare?
– We really feel that we received all the information we needed for the mapping.

– It was a cold room that was brand new and we didn’t have a good drawing of it. So that was an example of things we needed to produce so that Nordtec could plan and calculate the work. Otherwise, there was nothing we needed to prepare. We were given very clear instructions in advance on how to proceed and there was absolutely nothing complicated that we had to do.

Were the Nordtec team responsive to what needed to be done?
– Yes, we think so. Everything went very smoothly.

So you were satisfied with how the mapping was done?
– Yes, we really were!

Published 2022-08-10

ClinStorage has found a growing niche in the pharmaceutical industry. In meticulously controlled warehouses, they store the medicines of the future. The company uses the validated testo Saveris 1 computerized remote monitoring system to ensure that any temperature changes in refrigerators and freezers can be detected and acted upon quickly.

– Having full control of temperatures is essential for us, says Sven Jacobsson of ClinStorage. Sven runs ClinStorage together with Ola Camber. Sven has a PhD in analytical chemistry and Ola in pharmacy (drug development). Both previously worked in senior positions at major pharmaceutical companies such as Pharmacia and AstraZeneca.

– We discovered that solving how to handle and store investigational medicinal products and different active substances correctly and reliably was not a trivial task. It is often difficult for many smaller biotech companies to solve this,” says Sven.

High interest in pharmaceutical storage
In 2008, Sven Jacobsson and Ola Camber started ClinStorage. It quickly became apparent that there was great interest among mainly smaller pharmaceutical companies to get help with storage that meets the authorities’ high standards. ClinStorage has grown steadily and currently employs six people in a 300 square meter, specially designed warehouse in Solna, just north of Stockholm. The customers are drug development companies in Sweden and the other Nordic countries.

– In addition to storage, we also coordinate and manage transportation in cooperation with established freight forwarders. We are what you would call a one stop shop,” says Sven.

The choice fell on the testo Saveris 1
In order to get even better control of all temperature levels, Sven Jacobsson and Ola Camber decided a few years ago to invest in a digitalized, validatable monitoring system for pharmaceutical storage. Together with a consultant, they compared various systems on the market before finally choosing testo Saveris 1, which today monitors the temperatures in some 30 rooms, refrigerators, freezers, tanks and thermoses via a large number of loggers. The system is also connected to the diesel power plant that ClinStorage has as a backup to ensure safe 24/7 operations.

– Everything is working well and we are very satisfied. What was crucial was that we have been able to validate the system and have an annual calibration of all measuring equipment. This provides us with reliable data and also good documentation to show when we are inspected by authorities or customers who want to see details of how the temperature monitoring is structured and what procedures are in place for different scenarios.

Validation ensures functionality
Shortly after Nordtec has installed and commissioned testo Saveris 1 for ClinStorage, a validation of the entire monitoring system was carried out. This is to ensure that the system meets the requirements specification. It was an extensive and thorough review, to say the least. Every single detail was tested and evaluated. Nordtec’s representative checked that measurement data cannot be manipulated, that all interactions in the system can be traced, that alarm levels on all sensors work, that every employee at ClinStorage has the right authorization, that all alarms work as they should, that all measurement data is collected and stored securely (with backups) – just to name a few examples.

What exactly are you storing?
– Investigational medicinal products. That is, before a medicine is approved by the authorities to be prescribed by doctors and sold commercially, it goes through a series of clinical tests to demonstrate efficacy and examine the risk of side effects. While this is being done, the medicine should be stored in the same conditions as the finished medicine, so that it is not affected and retains its properties,” says Sven:

– A finished medicine, such as a vaccine, can consist of a large number of components such as excipients and carrier systems. Each such component, or pharmaceutical material as it is often called, requires storage at a certain specified temperature.

What temperatures are involved?
– We have everything from ultra-low temperatures like minus 196 (!) degrees (in the gas phase above liquid nitrogen) to storing pharmaceutical materials at plus 30 degrees. To cope with this wide range of temperatures, we need highly accurate and calibrated measuring equipment to read the correct temperatures.

How long do you store the medicines?
– These range from temporary storage of three to six months to storage for up to ten years. This means we need easy access to digital temperature data over a long period of time. Because if there is a problem in the clinical trial, you want to be able to go back and look at what the temperature curve looked like maybe five years ago when you started to store the drug.

Do you see any trends in the pharmaceutical industry?
– There is an increasing focus on advanced therapy medicinal products, which is the umbrella term for cell, gene and tissue therapies. In other words, biology is more like medicine, for example by adding a cell that can attack a cancerous tumor or a genetic code that allows the body to develop a defense. An obvious, current and clear trend is the Covid-19 vaccines from Pfizer-BioNtech and Moderna, which add the macromolecule mRNA so that the body can develop an antibody repository against generated spike proteins. These groups of products also have in common that they require significantly lower temperatures for storage and distribution compared to traditional medicines. We at ClinStorage are at the forefront of providing such storage and distribution solutions.

What are you aiming for next?
– We have developed a new service where we label and pack medicines to be sent to clinical trials. We have recently been inspected by the Swedish Medical Products Agency and hope to be certified for this type of handling in the near future. In terms of space, we have the capacity to grow for the next few years, but if the growth continues unabated, we will probably need a more large-scale expansion. Whether this can be done in our existing premises or in new facilities remains to be seen.

Published 2022-08-08

– They are very durable and easy to use. And it’s quicker to read temperatures than any other equipment I’ve tried.

So says Magnus Björklund of MECQ about the testo 190 autoclave loggers he uses to validate sterilization processes in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries.

Magnus Björklund worked for over 20 years in a medical device company before starting his own consultancy business 2.5 years ago. The company is called MECQ Mälardalen AB and has an office and test workshop in Strängnäs. Magnus and three colleagues are kept busy with assignments for customers all over Sweden but also around Europe and occasionally in the USA.

They are mainly dedicated to mapping and validating critical temperatures in demanding environments in both healthcare and industry (consisting of food customers but mainly pharmaceutical companies).

Magnus and his colleagues carefully measure the temperatures in sterilization units such as autoclaves and washer-disinfectors. The purpose is to verify that prescribed temperatures are maintained during the sterilization of medical equipment, for example, so that harmful bacteria, viruses, fungi and other microorganisms are eliminated.

Mapping in server halls
Many jobs for industrial customers involve checking fans, isolators and hydrogen peroxide cabinets. Magnus often has to do temperature mapping. Another common place outside the food and pharmaceutical industry where mappings are requested are stations in server halls.

– In these cases, it is about measuring in the server rack and ensuring that the temperature does not exceed a certain degree and can damage the equipment,” says Magnus.

To make all these accurate temperature measurements, Magnus uses the testo 190. He bought seven two-channel loggers, a pressure sensor and a multifunction case (used to read out measurements and configure the loggers) six months ago.

Need more autoclave logs

The equipment has since been used by customers from north to south.

– We will probably buy another bag. A larger model with more logs. We really need it.

The testo 190 autoclave loggers are used as reference meters for the built-in measuring instruments of the sterilization machines. They are deployed to measure temperatures in walls, ceilings and corners and sometimes also in the load.

– We always aim to put the 190 logs in places where we know from experience that it is difficult to achieve the right heat to clean properly. Then we repeat the measurement three times to get a reliable result. When it’s a sterilization centre in a hospital, we’re talking about surgical instruments going into people. Then you want to know that everything is really sterile.

What do you like most about the testo 190?
– The user interface. It is incredibly easy to create and save templates. This makes it much easier to do recurring jobs for the same customer – while also allowing you to compare results from year to year. I like that,” says Magnus, adding:

– This saves time for me and money for the customer.

For Magnus, it’s all about having equipment that he can rely on at all times. Not least to be able to present reliable measurements at all times. He finds the testo 190 more stable and easier to handle than other temperature loggers on the market. It is also easy to apply to the load. Magnus feels that he can simply put it wherever he wants – and then trust it to stay put.

Durable and 21 CFR Part 11 compliant
– Other brands have wired transducers that are not as durable as the testo 190 and break quite easily. In addition, the 190 logs are easy to read. The bag we bought is absolutely fantastic. You just push the logs into their respective compartments and read them and you’re done! Unlike other logs, which can swell at the bottom from the heat, making it take a while to read them.

Another clear advantage of the testo 190, says Magnus, is that these autoclave loggers comply with 21 CFR Part 11 – a standard with requirements for electronic signatures and traceability that is becoming increasingly common in industry. With a few simple clicks of the included software, Magnus can add signatures and make everything traceable. This is something both he and his customers appreciate.

It is the development of technology and the variety of challenges that make Magnus Björklund look forward to every day at work. In addition to temperature measurements, he is available to help customers with both emergency service and product development.

– It is often said that the day you know everything about this, then it is time to close down. But I am learning new things and developing all the time,” says Magnus and concludes:

– One week you can help with the development of an autoclave, for example, and the next week you can be involved in making improvements to the software of a robotic plant. You definitely never have time to get bored with this job.