French expansion for trans-o-flex ThermoMed
European temperature-controlled operator trans-o-flex ThermoMed has extended its international network into France. The move comes via a partnership with French pharmaceutical specialist EUROTRANSPHARMA SAS.
A contract was concluded between the two parties last month, with services set to commence from 1 June.
From that date, clients can have their medicinal products collected and delivered throughout France “within the continuous temperature range of 2 and 8 degrees Celsius”.
Carsten Glos, managing director of trans-o-flex ThermoMed, said: “Since active temperature-controlled transport has been established as the standard transportation choice for temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical products in Germany, the demand for international transport solutions for this class of goods has also risen due to the international interdependence of the industry.”
Over recent years, the company expanded its network across Europe by integrating Austria and the Benelux countries.
“With EUROTRANSPHARMA we have found a partner who also specialises on transports for the healthcare industry and can therefore comply 100% with our quality requirements,” added Glos.
In France, trans-o-flex ThermoMed will be covered by a network consisting of three main sorting centres and eight regional distribution points.
Furthermore, two new regional distribution points in the southwest (Bordeaux) and northwest (Loudeac) are planned to strengthen the network later this year.
A fleet of 345 transporters and commercial trucks will operate across the country, and monitored via satellite, allowing clients to have access to online shipment tracking. Additionally, customers will be provided with the monitored temperature records of their shipments electronically.
The normal transport time shall be 48 hours from the point of collection in Germany or Benelux until the delivery destination in France. Temperature-sensitive shipments from Austria will reach their French destinations within 72 hours. The transport times shall also apply for shipments originating in France.
Shipments transported with active temperature management, provided by trans-o-flex ThermoMed within the temperature ranges of 2-8 and 15-25 degrees Celsius, do not require special packaging for temperature-sensitive goods (as is needed with passive insulators).
This reduces expenses in shipping caused through the retrieval of reusable containers or the disposal of non-reusable packaging. At the same time, the chargeable freight weight is noticeably reduced due to the absence of heavy thermo-packaging and cooling elements.
