Kristof De Smedt started his professional career more than 25 years ago with Upjohn (currently Pfizer’s manufacturing site in Puurs – Belgium) within the Customer Service & Distribution department, where he got to work with various freight forwarders and logistics players supporting the worldwide distribution of lifesaving healthcare products.
Since then he has served in various commercial roles… then proudly joined Cold Chain Technologies LLC, headquartered in Franklin, MA – an industry leading provider of reuseable and single-use sustainable thermal packaging solutions supporting the life science and healthcare industry. Within his current role Kristof is heading one of their strategic business units where he is responsible for accelerating and driving profitable growth for thermal covers segment globally. As many pharmaceuticals and healthcare products are time critical, they are collaborating closely with many 3PL’s and airlines around the globe to ensure the integrity of healthcare products and medication is secured up until it reaches the patient .
How did you get into airfreight/logistics?
I was already interested in the logistics and airfreight during my education, having followed a bachelor’s degree in Business Management with specialisation in logistics and freight forwarding. With the criticality of lifesaving medication and the regulatory landscape around this industry, I’ve always been intrigued by the airline industry and logistics arena not to talk on my personal interest for global travel.
What quote has most resonated with you?
A famous quote from the Brazilian lyricist Paulo Coelho – Be Brave. Take Risks. ‘Nothing can substitute experience’ What does it really mean to me? Being brave is not about having no fears – it’s acknowledging your fears and choosing to move forward. Taking risks is all about venturing into the unknown – Every risk taken is an opportunity for growth. Whether we succeed or fail, we learn, and that is a great experience that enriches us. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? Always be kind, and make sure to surround yourself with great people.
What is the most adventurous thing you have ever done?
Going on my first international exchange programme in Poland and hiking in the Carpathian Mountains with freezing temperatures below -20C in winter…having forgotten to take my gloves with me – that’s most probably the moment I got interested in the coldchain packaging.
If you could have dinner with any three people, living or dead, who would it be and why?
Difficult question, but I would have loved to share a dinner with Nelson Mandela, Mohammed Ali and Franklin D. Roosevelt. Although they’re all quite different, Nelson Mandela because he’s truly an inspiration to me and a great statesman of my beloved country, South Africa where I made friends for life during my Student exchange programme, Muhammad Ali because of my interest in martial arts and his empowering self-confidence. Franklin D. Roosevelt because I would like to better understand how he dealt with the great depression and the Normandy landings in WWII as we currently are facing unprecedented geo-political tension that requires true leadership to navigate through these deep waters.
What’s something we wouldn’t know about you from your CV?
I was born and raised in Sint-Amands – a very small picturesque village in Belgium near the river Scheldt, which is the birthplace of the Belgian Poet Emile Adolphe Gustave Verhaeren – his tomb sits on the bank of the Scheldt River near the Sint-Amands Church. What hobby have you always wanted to try but never got around to? Becoming a drone pilot.
If you have not pursued a career in airfreight, what other field would you have liked to go into?
I’ve never worked in the airfreight industry itself, but the coldchain packaging industry is the ideal career path for me, combining the link with the logistics and airfreight community and supporting the lifescience and healthcare industry to ensure medication reaches the patient in good condition.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
Having the capability to recall people’s names better.
What’s your proudest moment and your biggest regret?
Undoubtedly my two sons, I’m extremely proud seeing them grow up pursuing their own dreams and becoming the bést version of themselves. Regret – I wasn’t always there for them.
If there was a movie made about your life, who would you like to see play the lead role?
Robin Williams, because of his great sense of humour and my deep respect for him as an actor – I still keep great memories of The Dead Poets Society; a movie I saw first during my secondary schooltime.
Looking back over your career, what would your message be to someone considering a career in logistics?
The most important for me is to love what you do and do what you love – keep learning amd always be adaptive to changes. The logistics and air cargo industry has proven to be very agile during the Covid-19 pandemic. This requires perseverance and passion for your job.
How do you motivate your team?
Lead by example – be the change you want to see around you.
What is the one item you can’t travel without?
My Smartphone helps me to stay connected with my friends and loved ones when I’m travelling globally. Who is your role model? Steve Jobs for his creativity / Nelson Mandela – Inspirational leadership. What would your autobiography be called? The Journey of a Globetrotter.
Cats or dogs?
Cats.
Early riser or night owl?
Both, depending on jetlag. What’s the best and worst purchase you’ve ever made? My bést purchase was a smartwatch that helps me to track my physical activity and training which helps me to keep up my condition level and set clear targets – the worst was an iwatch that requires way too much battery charging and offers way too many features I don’t use.
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Belgian fries.
