UPS has expanded its temperature-controlled supply chain capabilities in Europe with the opening of a healthcare-dedicated air freight forwarding facility at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Netherlands.

The new 600-square-metre, GDP-compliant facility is designed to meet the highest standards in pharmaceutical freight forwarding, featuring 15 degrees C to 25 degrees C and 2 degrees C to 8 degrees C temperature zones as well as 24/7 monitoring and alarm systems to protect the integrity of temperature-sensitive healthcare shipments. UPS operators follow in-depth training programmes and adhere to healthcare-specific protocols to ensure that inbound and outbound products are handled safely and securely during transit.

“With the rise of biologics and temperature-sensitive products as well as changing regulations governing the transportation of pharmaceuticals across different geographies, companies need increased control and protection of their products during transit,” said John Menna, UPS vice president of global strategy, healthcare logistics. “The new life-sciences centre at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol allows us to process shipments under strict temperature conditions according to expectations set out in the EU GDP guidelines.”

Utilising its own healthcare-dedicated, GDP-compliant facility at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol allows UPS to provide more control of the cross-docking and interim storage of healthcare shipments – helping customers mitigate risks and comply with high quality standards. At the facility, UPS also provides for the assembly of insulated pallet packing options and the maintenance of actively-controlled container solutions.

The announcement comes six months after UPS announced its agreement to acquire pharmaceutical logistics company Poltraf Sp. z o.o. The acquisition adds three facilities with advanced warehousing management systems, full quality assurance services, and an experienced workforce to UPS’s existing European healthcare network.