Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, one of the world’s leading providers of in vitro diagnostic products and services, has awarded an exclusive six-year contract to Kuehne + Nagel to manage its complex cold and temperature-controlled warehousing and distribution requirements in the US. The Kuehne + Nagel Memphis operation is considered to be one of the largest cold chain logistics premises ever designed by a third party logistics provider on behalf of a specific client.
As part of an ongoing supply chain transformation, Ortho Clinical Diagnostics sought to align itself with a logistics provider to help support its significant growth in the in vitro diagnostics market.
“Our decision to collaborate with Kuehne + Nagel is highly important as we need a partner with demonstrated capability managing high volume cold chain distribution operations and who understands the strict regulatory rules and logistics challenges of our industry”, said Robert Yates, COO of Ortho Clinical Diagnostics.
Kuehne + Nagel’s Contract Logistics solutions for Ortho Clinical Diagnostics will include a GxP compliant infrastructure and IT capabilities to manage its inventory and distribution. The company also manages Ortho Clinical Diagnostics’ cold chain transportation, both domestically and internationally.
Kuehne + Nagel added 125,000 square feet of warehousing space to its Memphis, TN, facility, which already had 200,000 sq. ft. of warehouse capacity mostly dedicated to life sciences. The new space includes 37,000 sq. ft. for 2-8°C service, 25,000 sq. ft. for -25°C cryogenic service, 43,000 for controlled-ambient warehousing conditions, and an additional 20,000 sq. ft. for packaging operations.
The facility is highly automated, fully licensed and accredited, maintaining GxP-compliant and Verified-Accredited Wholesale Distributors (VAWD) standards to provide compliant cold-chain storage and handling.
“We are honored that Ortho Clinical Diagnostics has chosen us as the best fit logistics partner for their company,” said John Hextall, President and CEO of Kuehne + Nagel North America. “Kuehne + Nagel continues to invest in its KN PharmaChain solution in order to guarantee the highest service and quality standards for the inventory control and transport of pharmaceutical products. “
