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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

UPS Opens Temperature Controlled Distribution Facility In Burlington, Ontario, Canada

01/07/2014
Canada celebrated its expanded healthcare distribution network, with the opening of the UPS state-of-the-art, 200,000 square foot, cold storage-temperature controlled distribution facility at its Burlington, Ontario, campus.

“As one of the largest cold-chain coolers in the country, the new addition provides healthcare companies and pharmaceutical manufacturers increased access to a total 600,000 square-feet worth of temperature and humidity-controlled environments - effectively helping keep products in optimal conditions during storage,” officials said.

In line with UPS's healthcare logistics global growth strategy, the Burlington facility is one of several North American expansions including facilities in Louisville, Kentucky, Mira Loma, California, Atlanta, Georgia and Reno, Nevada. In total, UPS operates more than 6.4 million sq. ft. of dedicated healthcare space. In Canada, the UPS network spans 11 facilities.

"UPS has made healthcare a strategic priority, and in Canada this investment in both the new healthcare space as well as the large cold chain chamber represents our commitment to driving innovation in healthcare logistics," said Kevin McConnell, Vice-President, Canada Distribution, UPS Supply Chain Solutions.

Several industry trends are driving the expansion of UPS's global healthcare network including increasing globalization, complex regulatory oversight, heightened focus on outcomes and a growing need for specialized healthcare services, such as temperature-sensitive solutions, UPS said.

"Working with a partner like UPS affords us unique and customized shipping and warehousing solutions. These solutions support our stringent safety standards and our overall strategy to maintain a consistent supply of safe and effective biological medicines to Canadians living with serious illnesses," said Ralph Mueller, Director of Supply Chain, AMGEN Canada. "We look forward to utilizing their network and sophisticated facilities to further our mission to service patients."

"Critical and life-saving medicines, like those in the Amgen portfolio, often require very tightly controlled storage and distribution specifications," continued McConnell. "The cold-chain coolers have been designed with the strict requirements to maintain the integrity of the product before they are administered to patients."

UPS facilities also meet all applicable government accreditations, licenses and maintain geographic-specific regulatory requirements, such as those of the Food and Drug Administration, Drug Enforcement Agency and Health Canada.

"We were excited to be part of the celebration and work with companies that understand the changing landscape of our health and pharmaceutical needs in Canada," explained Eve Adams, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health. "Creating solutions and networks that afford Canadians access to safe and secure medicine is a priority for our government and we are encouraged to see companies such as UPS playing a role."

"Not only will the Burlington expansion invigorate our local economy, this opening will help generate business throughout South-Western Ontario and the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area," said Keith Hoey, President, Burlington Chamber of Commerce. "The Chamber is a uniting force for businesses looking to connect with one another and grow, and UPS shares this belief."

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