Case Study: Transforming Rail Onboard Catering: Serveo’s Success with Tower Cold Chain’s Innovative Solutions

Background

Serveo, a prominent player in Spain’s railway sector, has established a reputation for its adept management of freight centres and passenger services. However, a significant challenge emerged: ensuring the reliability and freshness of onboard catering for train passengers. Previous solutions were found lacking, often requiring manual intervention due to the absence of onboard electricity, which compromised the consistency and safety of perishable goods during transit.

The Challenge

Serveo faced a critical need to enhance its onboard catering services. Traditional methods of transporting perishable goods were unreliable and labor-intensive, leading to inefficiencies and increased operational costs. The lack of dependable temperature control solutions resulted in frequent food spoilage, impacting both passenger satisfaction and operational sustainability. Serveo sought a solution that could maintain the required temperatures for extended periods without the need for external power sources or manual adjustments.

The Solution

In 2023, at the World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo, Serveo encountered Tower Cold Chain’s Advanced Insulated Box (AIB). The AIB, a passive container solution, emerged as the perfect fit for Serveo’s needs. It provided a robust, reliable, and low-maintenance method to transport perishable foods under controlled temperature conditions, addressing all the challenges Serveo had previously faced.

Tower’s AIB uses a combination of Vacuum Insulated Panels (VIP) and Phase Change Materials (PCM) to maintain consistent temperatures for up to 24 hours. The AIB4 and AIB7 models can keep contents at 5°C and below 0°C, respectively, eliminating the need for dry ice or electricity. This “set and forget” solution was particularly appealing to Serveo, as it ensured hassle-free and risk-free food transportation.

Implementation and Testing

Serveo conducted rigorous tests on four AIB containers under various railway scenarios, guided by its in-house quality experts. The results were overwhelmingly positive, demonstrating the effectiveness and reliability of the AIB containers in maintaining the required temperatures throughout the journey. These successful trials led Serveo to initially purchase 35 AIB4 units in 2023, which doubled to 70 units in 2024, along with the necessary PCM plates to enhance cooling capacity.

Impact and Results

The introduction of Tower Cold Chain’s AIB revolutionised Serveo’s onboard catering operations. The benefits included:

• Enhanced Reliability: The passive cooling technology ensured consistent temperature control without the need for manual intervention or external power sources.
• Operational Efficiency: By eliminating reliance on down-route stations for food replenishment, Serveo significantly reduced operational costs and energy consumption.
• Food Safety and Quality: The AIB containers met stringent food safety requirements, allowing Serveo to offer fresh and safe food to passengers, thereby improving customer satisfaction.
• Sustainability: The reduction in food waste and energy usage contributed to more sustainable operations, aligning with Serveo’s environmental goals.

“The AIB provides a robust, reliable answer to the challenges faced by train and airline companies when transporting perishable foods under controlled temperature conditions. The ‘set and forget’ nature of these passive containers means they offer hassle-free, risk-free, and low-maintenance solutions, making our operations sustainable, smoother, and more reliable,” stated Sebastian Carro, Delegate of Railway Transports at Serveo.

Conclusion

Serveo’s collaboration with Tower Cold Chain has set a new standard for temperature-controlled food transportation in the railway industry. The adoption of the AIB solution has not only enhanced Serveo’s operational efficiency and sustainability but also significantly improved the quality of onboard catering services. This successful partnership underscores the potential for innovative solutions to transform traditional challenges into opportunities for growth and improvement.

“At Tower, we are proud of our successful partnership with Serveo and the role we play in delivering onboard catering solutions to the transportation industry,” said Niall Balfour, Chief Executive Officer at Tower Cold Chain. “Our containers and services, supported by our team of experts, help companies like Serveo elevate the quality of food transportation, meeting the stringent requirements of modern-day travel and logistics.”