FedEx has opened its first European Life Science Center in Veldhoven, the Netherlands. The state-of-the-art cooling facility is part of a global network of FedEx Life Science Centres, with capabilities for receiving, storing, assembling and packing/packaging/shipping healthcare products. With this facility, FedEx offers an end-to-end supply chain solution for temperature-sensitive medical products.
The Life Science Center (LSC) Veldhoven is a GDP (Good Distribution Practices) certified facility. The Life Science Center (LSC) in Veldhoven is the sixth of its kind besides those in Memphis (US), Mumbai (India), Singapore, Seoul (South Korea) and Tokyo (Japan). The facility is strategically located at the epicentre of innovation, tech industries and within easy reach of the conglomerate of European-based pharmaceutical, biotech and life science industries.
"Today we are proud to announce the opening of the first European FedEx Life Science Center here in the Netherlands," said Marius Penninks, vice president ground operations at FedEx Benelux. "As global demand for healthcare continues to rise, having a robust logistics solution is crucial for the safe, timely and efficient delivery of medicines, clinical trials and biological products. This new Life Science Centre positions us perfectly to be the vital link in the medical transportation supply chain and facilitate the timely delivery of care to patients."
Added value
The 1,000-square-metre specialised warehouse offers four temperature-controlled rooms and freezers for temperatures from -80°C to +25°C. It is also monitored 24/7 and each temperature zone has its own alarm system. In addition to refrigeration facilities, it includes specialised packaging, proactive monitoring solutions and value-added services such as labelling and return logistics.
Focus on healthcare
According to Grandview Research, the healthcare logistics market is valued at $67 billion to $90 billion, driven by rising demand for generic and branded drugs. This growth has increased the need for storage facilities to maintain product efficacy and ensure efficient distribution to distributors and retailers.
The opening of the Life Science Center in Veldhoven marks an important milestone in the company's end-to-end services. Because FedEx now also has high-end temperature-sensitive technologies in Europe, it is tapping into this fast-growing vertical market in the pharmaceutical and clinical industries in this region.
Strategic location
In addition to its convenient location in both Europe and the FedEx network, Veldhoven is located in the well-known Brainport Eindhoven region, which, through 'Project Beethoven', has received a €2.5 billion public investment to benefit the tech industry, including investments in infrastructure, housing and education. These investments are expected to boost start-ups in innovative technology and biotech sciences.
