DHL today continued its investment in the growing life sciences and healthcare industry with thelaunch of its Life Sciences and Healthcare Competence Center in Beijing, the second of its kind in
China.The new 140 sqm temperature-controlled warehouse in the Beijing Capital International Airportbrings the total area of DHL Global Forwarding’s temperature-controlled facilities in China tonearly 1,000 sqm. The new center will offer life sciences dedicated temperature sensitive storagecapabilities ( 2C to 8C, and 15 to 25C) with electronic temperature data record keeping and alarmsystem. At the same time, DHL also offers loading and unloading of cool containers, handling ofpassive packaging, adding and retrieving of data loggers on request, coordinating with select aircarriers for proper booking, and organizing necessary refrigerated trucks for pick-up or delivery.
The opening of the Competence Center in Beijing follows the July opening of a Life Sciencesand Healthcare Competence Center in Seoul, Korea, as well as the expansion of the existing Centerin Shanghai, opened in 2009.
According to a study released by DHL, China is projected to become the world’s fifth largestpharmaceutical exporter, mainly in Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) related products, andhave the second largest healthcare expenditure in the world by 2015, driven by the increasingdemand for quality healthcare and a growing middle class. The study also revealed that in 2010, theChinese life sciences industry was estimated to be worth €55.3 billion and is projected to continueto grow rapidly at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17 per cent between 2010 and 2015. Theburgeoning growth of the global life sciences and healthcare industry is expected to create greaterneed for cold chain logistics service providers like DHL.
“Emerging markets are forecasted to contribute approximately 75 per cent to globalpharmaceutical sales growth by 2015. The opening of this second Life Sciences and HealthcareCompetence Center in China is a clear testament to the growing demand and opportunity we see inthis sector and in Asia Pacific,” said Roger Crook, CEO, DHL Global Forwarding, Freight. “We arealso heavily investing in the most promising emerging market region, Asia Pacific, particularly inChina, where customers’ needs are becoming more complex.”
The global life sciences and healthcare industry overall has been developing rapidly inrecent years with emerging markets demonstrating the greatest growth potential. “Customers areincreasingly looking for an integrated logistics network and their requirements are moving more andmore beyond conventional contract logistics services. We are looking towards a future wheregovernments, manufacturers and logistics services providers collaborate more actively to deliver atruly integrated supply chain. With our longstanding reputation in providing industry-leadinglogistics solutions, DHL is well-positioned to make a significant impact in the industry,” saidAngelos Orfanos, President and Global Head of Life Sciences & Healthcare, DHL and Senior VicePresident, Global Customer Solutions.
Opportunities for cold chain logistics in emerging markets are especially widespread in Chinawith its fast-rising demand for healthcare and ageing population. “DHL understands how crucial itis to streamline and integrate supply chains in the growing life sciences and healthcare sector,”said Steve Huang, CEO, DHL Global Forwarding, China. “The new centre is expected to serve growingChinese pharmaceutical and biotech companies which require regulatory-compliant cold chaintransportation with highest security and quality standards. It is designed to benefit healthcareclients by helping them reduce the risk of temperature deviation during customs clearance. Thecentre’s capabilities include a specialized, dedicated and trained team, customized standards ofprocedure for each customer, long-term relationships with airline partners and container providers,as well as 24/7 cargo monitoring, to name a few. These services raise the bar on quality in coldchain logistics services,” added Huang.
