Strengthening cold chain management in Colombia

Facilitated by the Pasto Chamber of Commerce and carried out in collaboration with a PUM expert, leading meat processor in southern Colombia, Frigovito, has taken an important step towards strengthening management practices and improving operational efficiency within the cold chain. With a clearer roadmap and stronger internal alignment, the company is moving forward with confidence, translating strategic ambition into concrete action for the years ahead. This focus on sustainable growth and long-term resilience also contributes to safer food systems and reinforces trust in locally produced meat.

Frigorífico Jongovito (Frigovito) is the largest animal processing plant in the region of Nariño, in southern Colombia. Based in Pasto, the company specialises in animal processing and cold chain logistics for the regional meat sector. With around 70 employees, Frigovito plays a key role in local employment, as well as in food safety and quality assurance.

As the company grew, so did the complexity of its operations. Day-to-day activities increasingly absorbed management attention, leaving limited space to reflect on processes, strengthen coordination or define a long-term vision. Frigovito therefore decided it was time to move from short-term, operational decision-making towards a clearer and more widely shared strategic approach across the organisation.

Improving the strategic plan

Frigovito connected with PUM and requested support to review its Strategic Plan for 2026–2029 and strengthen execution capacity. The objective was not to create a new plan from scratch, but to validate existing strategic thinking and translate it into practical ways of working.

Ashish Dharap, a PUM expert in Management Consultancy, worked closely with the management team and Managing Director Miguel Eduardo Benavides Córdoba. Over several days, discussions focused on organisational structure, process optimisation, leadership practices, internal communication, and the use of management information to support decision-making. Special attention was given to aligning operational practices with market requirements and quality standards relevant to the regional meat sector.

Putting strategy into practice

A key element of the collaboration was fostering a more structured and process-driven mindset across the organisation. Together, the management team and the PUM expert reviewed the strategic plan, tested assumptions against market realities and clarified priorities. The focus shifted towards fewer but more meaningful performance indicators, alongside a clearer distinction between strategic, operational and support processes.

The strategic plan and market analysis were presented to Frigovito’s Board of Directors, leading to the creation of a board-level committee to sponsor and monitor implementation of the strategy. This step strengthened corporate governance and created shared ownership of the company’s long-term direction. Role-play exercises further encouraged managers to look beyond their own departments and helped foster a culture of reflection, coordination and continuous improvement.

Regional impact

This project was facilitated by the Pasto Chamber of Commerce, which plays an important role in supporting entrepreneurs in the region by providing access to international expertise such as that offered by PUM.

The project laid the foundations for more efficient use of existing assets, improved coordination across the cold chain and more robust decision-making based on reliable data. By strengthening leadership and planning capacity, Frigovito is better positioned to grow sustainably, diversify its activities and expand its customer base over the coming years.

The expected impact goes beyond the company itself since the project was carried out in close collaboration with the Pasto Chamber of Commerce. This strong local embedding ensured that Ashish’s advice aligned well with the business context, regulatory environment and growth ambitions of Frigovito. A more resilient company supports stable employment in the region, contributes to safer food systems and reinforces confidence in local meat production. Improved efficiency and traceability also support compliance with environmental and regulatory standards within the sector.