UPS to acquire healthcare logistics firm in Poland

UPS is set to buy a healthcare logistics company in Poland, after agreeing terms with owner ORTIE for an undisclosed amount. The world’s largest package delivery firm said it will strengthen its healthcare expertise and network in Europe by taking over Poltraf Sp. z.o.o.

It said the deal will boost its product supply services for the fast-growing healthcare markets in Central and Eastern Europe.

UPS expects to conclude the deal in the first half of 2015.

Poltraf is based in Blonie, near Warsaw in central Poland, and has been providing healthcare logistics services for nine years. The company’s portfolio includes temperature-sensitive warehousing and transport, with UPS stating that its clients include some of the world’s best-known healthcare brands.

The firm claims to make more than 76,000 deliveries each month, for more than 180 manufacturers and distributors of medicines, medical devices, dietary supplements and cosmetics.

UPS will gain three warehouse facilities to add to its existing network of 14 healthcare facilities in Europe.

Poltraf also offers a fleet of 170 temperature-controlled vehicles with end-to-end tracking and temperature monitoring systems, as well as 10 field stocking locations across Poland.

Expansion plan

Cindy Miller, president, UPS Europe, said the acquisition would bring a greater capability to her company’s global healthcare network.

“Poltraf complements our mainland Europe expansion plan and we are now able to provide healthcare companies access to a single source for logistics solutions across the continent, helping to achieve greater supply chain efficiencies and compliance with relevant guidelines,” she said.

UPS said that with the acquisition, its healthcare network in Europe will reach from the Iberian Peninsula and the United Kingdom to the Benelux region, Central Europe, Eastern Europe and Southern Europe.

The deal follows the company’s acquisition of UK-based healthcare logistics firm Polar Speed in February, Hungarian firm CEMELOG in 2013 and Italian firm Pieffe in 2011.

“This is a very positive development for our company, our employees, and our customers,” said Piotr Krol, CEO of Poltraf. “Joining forces with UPS will allow us to continue to provide high-quality logistics services to our customers and broaden our reach by leveraging UPS’s global distribution network. We look forward to creating even greater value for our customers.”