John Ruan, founder of Ruan Transportation Management Systems, Des Moines, Iowa, passed away on February 13, 2010. Mr. Ruan was born on February 11, 1914 and died at the age of 96.

Representatives with the European Cold Storage and Logistics Association (ECSLA) and The Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA), met in Amsterdam last week and agreed to form one organization to represent and serve the temperature-controlled warehousing and logistics industry in Europe. This organization will retain the name ECSLA and be an affiliate partner of GCCA.

Officials say the partnership "allows the two organizations to offer expanded programs and services to European national cold storage associations and European cold storage companies."

Theo van Sambeeck will serve as managing director of the association. Officials said ECSLA will hire a general secretary in Brussels to lobby industry issues.

“ECSLA plays a critical role in lobbying for industry interests in Brussels and providing a network for the many national cold storage associations across Europe," said ECSLA President Wim van Bon from The Netherlands. "This new partnership gives us even more clout and allows us to take advantage of the many other services and resources that GCCA offers."

“With ECSLA’s excellent reputation and work in Brussels and GCCA’s resources, this combination will form a strong service organization in Europe,” said GCCA President and CEO Bill Hudson. “The cold storage industry is increasingly integrated across the globe, and this partnership will provide the European cold storage industry with access to the worldwide resources of GCCA, including our five global offices strategically located around the world.”

GCCA, Alexandria, Va., represents the International Association of Refrigerated Warehouses, World Food Logistics Organization, International Refrigerated Transportation Association, International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration and International Association for Cold Storage Construction.