DHL Supply Chain: this acquisition is an important step in expanding our ability to provide precise and reliable care to patients
DHL Supply Chain intends to further expand its capacities in the Life Sciences & Healthcare sector with the acquisition of SDS Rx. The company, which handles specialized transport in the healthcare sector, supplies pharmacies for care facilities, specialty and radiopharmaceutical pharmacies, as well as healthcare networks, among others.
With the strategic acquisition, DHL plans to expand its healthcare logistics portfolio under the umbrella of DHL Health Logistics and at the same time strengthen its position as a provider of integrated, time-critical solutions along the entire supply chain in the medical and healthcare sector.
SDS Rx handles specialized healthcare deliveries from more than 200 locations in the U.S., adding critical last-mile services to DHL’s healthcare transportation network. With the acquisition, DHL is also expanding its same-day and express delivery offerings for customers in the life sciences and healthcare sectors.
“According to forecasts, the sector will grow by eleven percent annually until 2030. Specialty pharmaceuticals already account for about 50 percent of total prescription drug spending in the U.S. today. Between 2018 and 2022, the number of patients served by specialist pharmacies increased by twelve percent. This growing demand for specialized pharmaceutical and healthcare solutions opens up a wide range of opportunities for DHL to leverage its own logistics network, expertise and commitment to the highest operational quality. With this acquisition, we are expanding our capacities in medical and healthcare logistics, opening up a new customer segment in the healthcare sector and strengthening our position as a reliable partner for building robust and connected supply chains in the healthcare sector,” says Mark Kunar, CEO of DHL Supply Chain North America.
Drew Kronick, Founder, CEO and Managing Partner of SDS Rx, says: “Our goal is to improve the quality of patient care with every delivery. With the increasing demand for last-mile deliveries in healthcare, we know how important it is to work with a partner who, like us, puts the patient first. The partnership with DHL is a significant step forward for us. By combining our strengths, we are ensuring more precise, reliable and faster deliveries to those who need them most.”
This will be the second acquisition in the healthcare sector for DHL Supply Chain this year. At the beginning of the year, DHL Group acquired CryoPDP – a leading provider of specialized courier services for clinical trials, biopharmaceuticals and cell and gene therapies. Both acquisitions mark an important step in the context of Strategy 2030. They strengthen DHL’s capacities in key areas of the supply chain – from pharmaceuticals and consumer health to animal health and medical technology – and, as part of DHL Health Logistics, create the basis for further targeted growth. With specialized expertise in cold chain management and logistics for specialty pharmaceuticals, DHL will be even better prepared for the complex requirements of the healthcare industry.
“This acquisition is an important step in expanding our ability to provide precise and reliable care to patients. By integrating SDS Rx’s specialized delivery capabilities into our operations, we are expanding our reach into key areas of healthcare, scaling our specialized pharmaceutical network and strengthening our global DHL Health Logistics. This underlines our commitment to providing reliable, patient-oriented solutions along the entire supply chain in the life sciences and healthcare sector,” says Hendrik Venter, Global CEO DHL Supply Chain
DHL Supply Chain is committed to ensuring a smooth transition for customers and employees. As part of the acquisition, all employees will be transferred to DHL Supply Chain. SDS Rx’s operations will be integrated into DHL Supply Chain’s life sciences and healthcare business in North America. However, all teams continue to work under local management.
The takeover is subject to regulatory approvals.
