SUPPLY CHAIN TRANSFORMATION
UPS is recognised as one of the world’ s largest shippers, ensuring consumer packages and essential goods reach their destinations efficiently and on time.
By completing the acquisitions of German healthcare logistics firms Frigo-Trans and BPL, the organisation is boosting its European footprint and reinforcing its focus on temperature-sensitive supply chains.
The deal responds to rising pressure from pharmaceutical and biotech industries for faster, more reliable and environmentally conscious logistics solutions.
UPS, which brings in US $ 91.1bn in annual revenue and employs around 500,000 people globally, positions itself as‘ Customer First, People Led, Innovation Driven.’
The completed acquisition of Frigo-Trans and its sister company BPL, first announced in September 2024, is a direct move designed to support that focus – specifically within its UPS Healthcare division.
Strategic growth in healthcare logistics Known collectively as Frigo-Trans, these German companies specialise in temperature-controlled logistics, offering the kind of precision vital to pharmaceutical clients handling delicate, high-value products. That includes vaccines, biologics and cell therapies – materials with no tolerance for storage or transport error.
The deal plugs UPS directly into Frigo-Trans’ s Lean supply chain model. Lean thinking, often associated with manufacturing, prioritises eliminating waste, standardising processes and improving efficiency. In a healthcare setting, that takes on a new level of importance. There’ s no room for expired stock or missing items when you’ re moving life-saving products.
The Frigo-Trans facility operates six tightly regulated temperature zones, from deep cryopreservation at-196 ° C through to ambient storage around + 25 ° C. All zones comply with Good Distribution Practice( GDP), a set of guidelines ensuring medicines are transported and stored correctly to maintain their quality.
90 May 2025