The Pharma Logistics Days in Basel Held for the First Time Over Two Days

22. October 2021

Yesterday, the 2nd Pharma Logistics Days came to an end at the Messe Basel. For two days, service providers gathered for an exhibition focused on pharma logistics. The event was complemented by a supporting program, which included expert presentations, folk performances, and a networking event on the first evening. The professional event was an integral part of ILMAC Basel, the leading Swiss trade fair for laboratory and process technology.

(Basel) Never has the topic of pharma logistics been as relevant as it is today. This was also evident at the 2nd Pharma Logistics Days, a fair showcasing all facets of pharma logistics. 28 exhibitors responded to the invitation, ranging from contract logistics providers to transport companies, from manufacturers of specialized packaging to shipping companies with reefer containers, as well as data logger manufacturers and airlines. This allowed visitors to gain a comprehensive overview of the topic. The specialized exhibition was fully integrated into ILMAC Basel, the leading Swiss trade fair for laboratory and process technology. The target audience for ILMAC Basel and the Pharma Logistics Days is nearly identical, which is why the coupling of the events came about.

From In-House to Trade Fair

Urs Suter, Key Account & Project Manager at Lamprecht Pharma Logistics AG and founder and organizer of the first two Pharma Logistics Days in 2018 & 2019 (the 2021 edition was organized together with a committee from the logistics and packaging industry) shared the story of its inception: “The idea for this trade fair came to me when I kept receiving invitations to large pharma logistics events. These were too big and too expensive for us. Thus, the idea of an in-house fair emerged, which we held in 2018 at our site in Pratteln. One of the visitors was the organizer of ILMAC Basel, and that’s how the Pharma Logistics Days came to be.

“In 2019, it was initially a one-day parallel event, and this year for the first time it was held over two days and integrated into ILMAC Basel,” Suter continued. For him, it was also clear that the exhibition had to take place in Basel: “Basel is home to pharma, so only Basel was a viable location for the event.”

For Suter, it is important that the exhibitors are satisfied; only then is he satisfied as well. Conversations with exhibitors confirmed that the event is on the right track. Kay Metzger, General Manager at the container logistics provider Danser Switzerland AG, stated: “This year’s edition was already a significant improvement over the first edition, and we were able to have some good conversations. Some co-exhibitors are our clients, and it was finally nice to meet in person again.” However, the Pharma Logistics Days also suffered from COVID, as 12 other potential exhibitors canceled their participation.

[caption id=”attachment_15103″ align=”alignnone” width=”1024″> ILMAC Basel and the Pharma Logistics Days attract not the masses, but high-caliber professionals.

Impressive and Diverse Supporting Program

The supporting program was characterized by varied and high-quality topics spread over the two days. A total of 10 speakers presented on various subjects. The former president of FC Basel, Dr. Bernhard Heusler, delivered the opening speech on the topic “Corporate and Team Leadership – Challenges and Learnings from Top Sports.” The remaining speakers addressed various logistics topics, always with a focus on pharma. At the end of the first day, a networking aperitif awaited exhibitors and visitors.

Every Two Years or Annually?

It is certain that there will be Pharma Logistics Days again in conjunction with ILMAC Basel 2023. “There were also suggestions that we should hold the event annually. I can certainly imagine that. The question is how it can look in the years without ILMAC. Perhaps more of a congress character with a supporting exhibition and just one day. We will discuss this calmly,” Suter reflects on the future.

“Either way, we need to think about the organization. In its current form, we are overwhelmed, and we must definitely professionalize this.”

Many events have started small. Additionally, this year’s Pharma Logistics Days were hindered by COVID from being an even larger edition. In any case, the event has the potential to become a staple in the logistics trade fair sector.

[caption id=”attachment_15105″ align=”alignnone” width=”1024″> The Pharma Logistics Days featured large and small service providers from various sectors.