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Indiana, as well as the deployment of emerging technologies, such as the LocusBots collaborative robots that enhance picking productivity rates and site throughput. The company announced plans earlier this year to increase its fleet of LocusBots to 1,000 by the end of 2020.
DHL SUPPLY CHAIN, a North American leader in contract logistics, has announced further investment to strengthen its life sciences and healthcare capabilities, committing more than $70m to develop additional specialised warehousing infrastructure and deploy new technologies to support its pharmaceutical and medical device customers. The latest investment builds on a $150m commitment in June 2019, which focused on expanding the company’s US distribution network with the aim of bringing critical healthcare products closer to its trade
Scott Cubbler, president of life sciences and healthcare at DHL Supply Chain North America. “At the same time, we recognise that demand will only intensify in the future as the market develops its response to the Covid-19 pandemic and adjusts to new ways of addressing patients’ everyday healthcare needs. “By making this investment, which will also allow us to expand the use of efficiencyboosting new technologies,” Cubbler continues, “we are providing our customers with a platform for further growth, as well as the flexibility they need to respond as essential
SIGN WITH SIEMENS Further strengthening DHL’s position in the US pharmaceutical supply chain, the company has joined forces with Siemens Healthineers, a leading medical technology company, in the form of a comprehensive service logistics agreement in the US. An important focus area in the relationship will be the use of digital and robotics technologies that are designed to deliver continuous quality and cost improvements within the supply chain of Siemens Healthineers, enabling high levels of delivery performance and customer satisfaction. “The Americas is an important growth market for Siemens Healthineers, and the quality, flexibility and speed of the service logistics platform we have established in the region helps us better serve our customers,” says David Pacitti, president and head of the Americas at Siemens Healthineers. “Working with DHL Supply Chain, we have an exciting opportunity to further strengthen our services and support our company’s ambition to deliver a digital advantage for our customers and their patients in this region.” The two companies plan to invest in a state-of-the-art World Distribution Center in Memphis, which will be operated by DHL Supply Chain and will incorporate DHL’s proprietary warehousing and inventory management system and proven innovations, such as automated storage and retrieval systems and augmented reality-assisted picking, to maximise efficiency and productivity.
partners and their patients. “DHL Supply Chain was already wellpositioned to support our customers in recent months, thanks to our industry-leading footprint in North America and the investments we have made in fully licensed sites that meet their storage and handling requirements,” says
services in a fast-changing environment.” DHL Supply Chain currently operates 30 specialised facilities with more than 11m ft² of temperature-controlled and certified infrastructure in the US. This latest investment will include the development of new customer sites in Memphis, Tennessee and Indianapolis,
Digital technologies, such as DHL’s MySupplyChain application and GPS tracking for final mile delivery, will provide engineers with additional transparency, visibility and control over their orders and returns. “DHL Supply Chain is bringing more than 20 years of experience in healthcare logistics,
MEET THE NEED PHARMA • DHL HAS BEEN BUSY IN NORTH AMERICA, ADAPTING ITS SUPPLY CHAINS TO HELP SERVICE INCREASING DEMAND FOR PHARMACEUTICAL AND HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS
HCB MONTHLY | SEPTEMBER 2020
