UPS expanding healthcare infrastructure in Latin America
UPS is expanding its healthcare distribution infrastructure in Latin America with a series of new dedicated facilities throughout the region.
The company opened a new facility near Mexico City yesterday, and plans to open new and expanded facilities in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and in Santiago, Chile, over the coming months.
The package delivery giant said it was investing to address the high growth in the medical device and pharmaceutical markets throughout Latin America.
Atlanta-based UPS said its planned facility expansions would give it access to 70% of the total healthcare consumption and manufacturing markets in Latin America.
The region includes two of the world’s top 15 healthcare consumer markets, the firm said.
A growing middle class is behind the increased demand for healthcare services.
John Menna, UPS vice president, Global Healthcare Strategy, said: “Latin America represents a strong growth opportunity for healthcare companies and providers who rely on UPS’s network of dedicated facilities, air freight, and safety and compliance expertise to support their business goals.”
Mexico
The new facility in Mexico is located at Cuautitlan Izcalli, north of Mexico City, serving the second largest medical device and pharmaceutical consumption market in the region. UPS, which has been operating in Mexico since 1989, said the new facility should open later this year, serving clinics, distributors, pharmacies and patients. It will have 78,000 square feet of dedicated healthcare space in a 171,000 square foot building.
Mexico is a major produced of high-tech medicine, including antibiotics, anti-inflammatories and other healthcare products, UPS said.
The other two new facilities, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and in Santiago, Chile, will open this summer and autumn.
The Brazilian facility will offer 80,000 square feet of space, serving the largest pharmaceutical consumption market in Latin America. It will be the second dedicated healthcare facility UPS has in Brazil, where the company has been operating since 1989.
The Chilean facility will have 21,000 square feet of space. UPS said Chile is a manufacturing country for many healthcare firms. It has been operating there since 1991.
The new facilities will be compliant with global, regional and local regulations governing healthcare products, the logistics giant said.
Romaine Seguin, president of the UPS Americas Region, said opening the new facilities in Latin America was part of the company’s ongoing strategy to expand in “vital” markets.
She said: “Each expansion is designed to ensure we deliver service excellence. Our mission, which is posted in every UPS healthcare facility around the world, reminds employees that ‘It’s A Patient, Not A Package’ as we put in place dedicated solutions and specially trained people who bring the mantra to life.”
