CSafe Global offers a full suite of cold chain shipping solutions and is the only provider of active air cargo solutions as well as passive parcel and cell and gene solutions.
With a robust air cargo container fleet and artificial intelligence lease forecasting system, we can ensure a 100% delivery guarantee on our leased containers. Combined with an unlimited supply of reusable parcel and cell & gene packaging, and 24/7 customer and technical service, CSafe is well-positioned to be your partner of choice for the cold chain.
CSafe Global was founded to help enhance lives. The founders – a father and son missionary team serving the most vulnerable in underdeveloped countries – witnessed death and suffering caused by the spoilage of life-saving biologics, vaccines and medicines. The spoilage was the result of poor temperature management during transit. Upon returning home, they were determined to find a solution to the deficiencies in the pharmaceutical cold chain. Their early efforts developing packaging solutions incorporating high-performance vacuum insulated panels (VIP) laid the foundation for the full suite of active and passive products CSafe offers today. CSafe remains committed to the founders’ mission to ensure that patients around the world have access to viable, life-enhancing pharmaceuticals.
- 1979
Company founded
Based in Ohio, USA
- 1980s
Development Phase
• Partnered with leading research institutions to develop VIP
• Began developing thermoelectric devices
• Opened first manufacturing facility - 1990s
Go to Market
• Commercialized process to mass produce VIP
• Partnered with NASA to develop insulated units for Space Shuttle program
• Awarded first patents for VIP
• Introduced first mobile refrigeration unit - 2003
Launched PX1L carrying case
First handheld unit with VIP
- 2004
Acquired by Myrian Capital
Provided growth capital and support
- 2005
Began developing active temperature-controlled unit load device
The RKN became CSafe's first active container solution
- 2006
Launched parcel shipping solutions
Industry-leading passive solution with VIP
- 2007
Received FAA approval for CSafe RKN
First active air cargo container approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
- 2008
Put CSafe RKN into service
First CSafe active air cargo container with patented VIP insulation
- 2008
Opened first Service Center
Located in Memphis, TN
- 2011
Launched industry's first retest & reuse program
CSafe's program set the standard for sustainability in parcel packaging
- 2012
Changed name to CSafe Global
Integrated AcuTemp sub-brand into the passive parcel line
- 2012
Established European headquarters
Located in Amsterdam, Netherlands
- 2012
Introduced soft-sided courier solution
Hand-held courier for the public health market and last mile delivery
- 2013
Doubled U.S. manufacturing footprint
Needed to meet increased demand for CSafe thermal shipping solutions
- 2014
Launched online customer portal
24/7 customer access to ordering and shipping data
- 2015
Purchased by Altaris Capital Partners
Provided capital to continue expanding operations and RKN fleet
- 2016
Acquired Kalibox
Doubled CSafe's customer base and catalog of thermal shipping solutions
- 2016
Acquired by Thomas H. Lee Partners
Additional capital investment to expand portfolio and locations globally
- 2016
Launched passive pallet shipper
Innovative and cost saving design
- 2017
Established Asian headquarters
Located in Incheon, South Korea
- 2018
Put CSafe RAP into service
Designed to offer the largest payload capacity in the industry
- 2019
Launched artificial intelligence logistics platform
Industry's first fully-integrated AI platform
- 2019
Introduced Cell & Gene Solutions
Comprehensive supply chain solution for the cell and gene therapy market
- 2020
Continued expanding geographically
Expanded multiple service centers and opened new locations
- 2020
Launched industry's first real-time track & trace technology
Integrated telemetry devices deliver real-time data to custom visibility platform
To provide peace of mind by offering best-in-class temperature management solutions for the delivery of life-enhancing products.
Patrick Schafer
Chief Executive OfficerPatrick Schafer guides strategy development and execution and is responsible for overall company performance.
Mr. Schafer has held senior-level positions in both the United States and Europe, most recently as CSafe’s Chief Financial Officer. Prior to that, he was Vice President of Finance for a multi-national film manufacturer and also lived in Dusseldorf, Germany, where he was a Director for Henkel AG & Company, KGaA. He began his career with Coopers and Lybrand.
Schafer holds a B.S. degree from Miami University and an M.B.A. from Duke University.
Tom Weir
Chief Operating OfficerTom Weir leads CSafe’s engineering, product, service, supply chain, manufacturing and quality teams.
Mr. Weir brings more than 15 years of executive experience leading global engineering and operations teams. He has developed extensive expertise leading teams in Europe, Ukraine, Mexico, and Asia. His industry expertise includes aviation, cold chain logistics, payment systems, and clinical trial technology. Throughout his career, Mr. Weir has successfully led transformational strategic initiatives in operations, new product development, manufacturing, and service. His professional background includes technical leadership roles at Boeing, United Technologies (Sensitech division), and Crane Payment Systems (formally MEI).
Weir holds a B.S. degree in electrical engineering from Kansas University and an M.B.A. from Rockhurst University. He also completed executive leadership training at the Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania.
Seth Hertel
Chief Commercial OfficerSeth Hertel guides the sales team in sales automation, process optimization, planning and analysis, and creating programs to drive closer partnerships with our key customers.
Mr. Hertel joined CSafe with deep international management experience, having lived and worked in China, the UK, Singapore, and South Korea. He has more than 22 years of experience in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry in key leadership and management roles at companies including Sigma-Aldrich Corporation (Merck KGaA), Barnstead/Thermolyne (ThermoFisher Scientific), Covance (LabCorp) and Roquette.
Hertel has a B.A. in political science and Portuguese from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. He continued at UW-Madison and received his M.A. in Portuguese. He completed the dual E.M.B.A. program at Columbia University of NY and the London Business School.
Chuck Bodner
Chief Financial OfficerChuck Bodner is responsible for finance, accounting, tax and treasury functions and helps guide overall company strategy and execution.
Mr. Bodner has nearly 30 years’ experience in finance and accounting with more than 20 years in the pharmaceutical and life science industry. Prior to joining CSafe Global, he held senior level positions with Sanofi-Aventis, Schering-Plough, AstraZeneca, Becton Dickinson and Bioclinica. Chuck has also spent an extensive amount of time working on transformational mergers and acquisitions and has deep domain knowledge in international markets.
Bodner holds both an MBA and Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from LaSalle University.
Sofia Pokatilova
Head of LegalSofia Pokatilova is responsible for all CSafe Global legal matters worldwide and is a member of the Board of Management of the European Group companies of CSafe Global. A Master graduate of the Leiden University (the Netherlands), she has been supporting the CSafe Global team since 2019 from the Hague, the Netherlands.
Ms. Pokatilova has more than 15 years of experience advising companies on legal matters pertaining to commercial activities including restructuring, M&A deals, complex commercial contracts, litigation, employment matters, privacy-related matters, and compliance. She has helped global companies navigate the complex tailor-made solutions regarding setting-up and implementing international corporate structures.
Prior to joining CSafe, Ms. Pokatilova worked as an in-house lawyer for multinational companies as well as legal counsel within one of the leading Dutch corporate service providers. Her clients included USA-based and multinational listed corporations, leading private equity and investment firms and internationally expanding businesses with activities in a wide range of sectors and geographies. Pokatilova is fluent in Russian and English and has a working proficiency in Dutch.
Venu Vinjamaram
SVP of Technology & InnovationVenu Vinjamaram leads Information Technology and digital strategy spanning applications, data, cybersecurity and infrastructure.
Mr. Vinjamaram joined CSafe with nearly 25 years’ experience in the technology field in various industries with most of that in healthcare and cold chain logistics industries. His expertise includes digital transformation, technical strategy, IT operations, cloud architecture and engineering. He has proven record of developing and executing enterprise-level digital transformation initiatives, that support Creating business value, improve client outcomes and drive growth through technology.
Vinjamaram holds an MBA from SMU Cox School of Business.
Emilio Frattaruolo
Vice President of Innovation, Passive SystemsEmilio Frattaruolo is responsible for the long-term global strategy of CSafe’s Passive Product portfolio and Client Services offerings.
Mr. Frattaruolo brings a unique industry perspective formed over a decade spent providing engineering and operational leadership to both pharmaceutical manufacturers and cold chain solutions providers. Having functioned as an external consultant, internal subject matter expert, and leader to organizations such as Sanofi Pasteur, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Biogen, he has a deep understanding of manufacturing, packaging, and the clinical and commercial cold chain distribution process for critical life changing therapies.
Frattaruolo holds a B.S. Degree in packaging science from the Rochester Institute of Technology and is an IoPP Certified Packaging Professional.
Scott Lathrop
Vice President of FinanceScott Lathrop is responsible for all CSafe Global accounting and financial operations including the entire accounting and finance team worldwide.
Mr. Lathrop has 10 years’ experience in finance and accounting. Prior to joining CSafe, he worked for five years at a Fortune 25 company. He is a Certified Public Accountant and holds degrees in accounting and international business from the University of Kentucky.
Maria Thomas
Director of Human ResourcesMaria Thomas is responsible for all CSafe Global human resources functions and operations including providing direction to the worldwide HR team.
Ms. Thomas has more than 20 years’ experience in human resources and operations which has provided her the opportunity to work in all areas of HR including strategic planning, recruiting, on-boarding, employee relations, performance management, training and development, workers compensation, salary and benefits administration, and safety. Prior to joining CSafe in 2008, she held various HR positions. Her industry expertise includes aerospace, healthcare, medical technology, environmental, construction, finance, logistics and manufacturing.
Thomas earned her bachelor’s in Child Development from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her master’s degree in Industrial Psychology from Roosevelt University.
CSafe’s commitment to sustainability begins with container design. Whether using a parcel box or an air cargo container, every shipper is designed to be lightweight, reusable and includes the best performing insulation on the market allowing our customers to use smaller boxes for the same size payload. That equates to less weight and space required on the plane or truck allowing more cargo to go in a single trip to reduce overall carbon emissions.
In the packaging business, waste is often a considerable problem. CSafe offers two programs – one for air cargo containers and one for our parcel and cell & gene portfolios. Both of these programs allow for containers to be cleaned, retested for quality and continuously reused for as long as possible.