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15. March 2021The expansion of the central hub of the express service provider trans-o-flex in Baunatal is complete. This results in a 25 percent increase in capacity in the actively temperature-controlled network for pharmaceutical transports. This enables a nationwide logistics solution for the distribution of Covid-19 vaccines and brings many advantages.
(Weinheim) trans-o-flex ThermoMed, the market leader in the distribution of actively temperature-controlled pharmaceuticals at 2 to 8 degrees Celsius in Germany, is about to complete the expansion of its central hub, thereby increasing the capacity of its entire network by more than 25 percent. “The capacity expansion is a signal at just the right time,” says trans-o-flex CEO Wolfgang P. Albeck. “Currently, there is a discussion on how to make the logistics of Covid-19 vaccines more efficient. One possibility would be to replace the vaccine distribution, which has so far been organized individually by each of the 16 federal states, with a nationwide uniform solution.” According to Albeck, trans-o-flex ThermoMed could supply all vaccination centers, hospitals, pharmacies, and medical practices across the country with vaccines overnight. So far, the company has only been tasked with distributing various Covid-19 vaccines to the vaccination centers in Bavaria.
Consolidating Federal States in Vaccine Logistics
The advantages of a nationwide organized vaccine distribution are obvious to the trans-o-flex CEO: “With nationwide distribution through a network, the administrative effort for the clients is sustainably reduced. Because one solution can be applied to all states. An effect would already be achieved if two federal states joined forces. And the effect becomes greater the more federal states join the solution.” Furthermore, Albeck adds, a nationwide solution would enable a uniform standard for deliveries throughout Germany. “And not just for vaccination centers, but also for pharmacies, hospitals, or medical practices, nursing homes, and care facilities.” All these recipients are supplied by trans-o-flex ThermoMed almost daily. “Therefore, trans-o-flex could take over the vaccines at a single or at various locations in Germany, handle the picking for the individual vaccination centers, and guarantee delivery within 24 hours, if necessary, even with deliveries before 8 or 10 a.m.” Last but not least, the potential bundling of transports increases the utilization of vehicles. “This is good for the environment and reduces transport costs.”
Demand for Pharmaceutical Transports is Rising
The demand for actively temperature-controlled pharmaceutical transports has been continuously increasing across Europe for years. “In other EU countries like Austria, Italy, or Spain, it has long been standard; in Germany, we are well on our way there,” says Albeck. With the hub expansion, they reacted early and already before the Corona pandemic. It is a “fortunate circumstance” that there is now sufficient capacity reserve available to distribute both the current and the expected future vaccine quantities comprehensively and safely throughout Germany. “Our network is made for such tasks; there is nothing comparable, and we now have reserves for further growth.”
The expansion of the central hub took place alongside the ongoing operation of the sorting center. Initially, an additional hall section was added to the existing building. Once the interior construction of the new hall section, including temperature mapping and the setup of a new sorting system, was completed, the wall between the old and new hall sections was removed. The hall area of the central hub thus grew from 1,300 to almost 2,000 square meters, and the number of loading gates increased by 20 to 41. The new fully automated sorting system, whose acceptance will mark the official completion of the construction work, has further shortened the handling time. Since all shipments from trans-o-flex ThermoMed are currently handled at the central hub, the expansion increases the capacity of the entire network.
Photo: © trans-o-flex
