International pharmaceutical transports: trans-o-flex and PostNL cooperate

"Since 2015, PostNL has built up an independent distribution network for shipments requiring active temperature control in the range of 2-8 °C and 15-25 °C alongside its traditional postal and e-commerce business," says Michael Löckener, Managing Director Operations at trans-o-flex. "PostNL's GDP network meets all EU requirements for pharmaceutical logistics, enabling us to offer our customers a GDP solution for all three Benelux countries via a single partner." In return, PostNL feeds international temperature-controlled shipments from the Benelux countries into the trans-o-flex network for delivery in Germany and Austria.

International GDP network connections expanded

"In addition to our leading position in postal and e-commerce logistics in the Benelux, we are striving to become the market leader in various specialty markets such as healthcare," explains Huub Zijlstra, Managing Director Pharma & Care Benelux at PostNL. "We have more than 25 years of experience in the healthcare market in Belgium and more than 10 years in the Netherlands. We see considerable growth opportunities in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sector. Due to legal regulations, a growing market and changing distribution channels, we see an increasing need for active temperature-controlled logistics. That is why we are continuously investing in the development of special solutions."

In the Benelux countries, PostNL Pharma & Care now operates around 120 distribution routes with temperature-controlled vehicles every day. Zijlstra adds: "By partnering with trans-o-flex, we are expanding our international GDP network connections. Given the market developments in the Benelux, we believe that a strong partnership in Germany and Austria will help our customers to expand their geographical reach."

PostNL and trans-o-flex are also already working together in the area of international transportation. Both companies are partners in the Eurodis network, which collects and delivers parcels and pallets in 38 European countries.