Temperature-controlled logistics for pharmaceuticals: trans-o-flex extends ambient network

• In November, the 7th hub for actively temperature-controlled shipments at temperatures of between 15 and 25 °C is put into operation in Alzenau
• New semi-trailers, lorries and delivery vans: vehicle fleet for actively temperature-controlled shipments is extended to approximately 2,000 vehicles

Due to the continuously rising demand for the actively temperature-controlled transportation of pharmaceuticals, trans-o-flex Schnell-Lieferdienst is going to extend its nation-wide network for shipments in a temperature range of between 15 and 25 °C. In November, the trans-o-flex ambient network is extended by an additional hub in Alzenau near Aschaffenburg. In the future, it will be possible to use seven, instead of six, locations to feed the temperature-controlled shipments into the express delivery service’s ambient network. As recently as in last March, trans-o-flex extended its ambient network, which had been started in October 2014, from a central-hub system to a six-hub system. “In addition to the capacity adjustment, the new hub in Alzenau will help us shorten the ways especially for goods coming from the Rhine-Main area, thus making it possible for us to offer later deadlines for the collection”, says  Christian Knoblich, Managing Director Sales & Marketing of the trans-o-flex Logistics Group. The background of the continuously growing volumes of actively temperature-controlled shipments at temperatures of between 15 and 25 °C is the introduction of the new EU regulations (EU-GDP = Good Distribution Practice), which require a controlled and documented transportation of pharmaceuticals.

In order to facilitate the extension of the network, trans-o-flex not only invests in real estate but also in its vehicle fleet: additional vehicles have already been ordered and will then be used for collection purposes as well as in regular traffic and for the delivery of ambient goods. By the end of the year, the trans-o-flex ambient network will operate a total of 190 actively temperature-controlled semi-trailers, 85 temperature-controlled lorries, 1,650 thermos boxes and up to 100 temperature-controlled delivery vans. With respect to the buildings of the additional ambient hub in Alzenau, it must, for example, be made sure that, during loading and waiting times, the temperature-controlled vehicles can switch to a temperature control based on an external power supply system, that the temperature data taken in the location can be correctly fed into the systems and that the necessary temperature control devices are installed on site.