trans-o-flex and PostNL become partners for international pharmaceutical shipments. Companies extend their collaboration to encompass cross-border temperature-controlled logistics

• Networks get connected: trans-o-flex GDP (Good Distribution Practice) network in Germany and Austria and PostNL network for the Benelux region, both offering active temperature control at ranges of 2 to 8 and 15 to 25 degrees Celsius.
• Customers of both companies benefit from an expanded service portfolio thanks to the cooperation and integration of the networks

trans-o-flex, a specialist provider of express services for pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, consumer electronics and other sensitive goods, has started a partnership with PostNL Pharma & Care Benelux. By incorporating each other’s temperature-controlled logistics solutions into their portfolio, both trans-o-flex and PostNL expand their geographical reach for temperature-controlled shipments. “Since 2015, PostNL has established a dedicated distribution network for shipments requiring active temperature control at ranges of 2-8 °C and 15-25 °C, in addition to its traditional postal an e-commerce business,” says Michael Löckener, Chief Operations Officer of trans-o-flex. “PostNL's GDP network meets all EU requirements for pharmaceutical logistics, allowing us to provide our customers with a GDP solution for all three Benelux countries through a single partner.” In exchange, PostNL integrates international temperature-controlled consignments from the Benelux countries into the trans-o-flex network for delivery in Germany and Austria.

“In addition to our leading position in postal an e-commerce logistics in the Benelux, we strive to become market leader in several specialised markets such as Healthcare,” explains Huub Zijlstra, Managing Director Pharma & Care Benelux at PostNL. “In Belgium we have more than 25 years of experience in the healthcare market, and 10 years in the Netherlands. We envisage significant growth opportunities in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors. Due to regulation, a growing market and shifting market channels, we see an increasing need for actively temperature controlled logistics. That is why we are continuously investing in the development of specialised solutions.” In the Benelux countries, PostNL Pharma & Care now runs some 120 distribution routes with temperature-controlled vehicles on a daily basis. Zijlstra adds: “Through the partnership with trans-o-flex, we expand our international GDP network connections. With 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 already collaborate in the international shipments’ field. Both companies are partners in the EURODIS network, which collects and distributes parcels and pallets across 38 European countries. “PostNL has impressively demonstrated that it is a reliable and innovative partner. We are therefore delighted to now be able to extend our collaboration in the field of pharmaceutical logistics,” states Löckener.