UPS has announced it will invest US$48m in 27 temperature-controlled freight cross-dock facilities at locations around the world, including the USA, Europe, Asia and the Americas.
The facilities will be optimized for speed and short-term storage between air and ground movements and will strengthen the company’s global cold-chain network as industry demand for temperature-sensitive biologics continues to grow. According to Growth Market Reports, the market is projected to expand at an 8.3% compound annual growth rate through 2033, reaching an estimated US$39.1bn.
“We have aligned our investments with our healthcare customers’ specialized needs. Our global cross-dock facilities strengthen our end-to-end cold-chain capabilities to ensure critical treatments are delivered safely and reliably to patients around the world,” said Kate Gutmann, EVP and president of international, healthcare and supply chain solutions at UPS.
“This effort – and all of our work in healthcare logistics – extends from a deep understanding that we’re doing more than moving packages. We are helping patients access the medications and treatments they need.”
UPS’s cross-dock expansion builds on a long-term investment in complex healthcare logistics, strengthened through acquisitions including Bomi Group, Frigo Trans and BPL in Europe and Andlauer Healthcare Group in North America. More recently, UPS expanded its Incheon, Korea air hub to support fast-growing pharmaceutical trade flows.
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