DHL transforms DHL Health Logistics campus in Florstadt into a European pharmaceutical hub as part of its multi-billion investment strategy
Life Sciences & Healthcare campus in the heart of Europe to become a backbone of DHL’s global Health Logistics network
DHL Group is moving forward with the strategic expansion of its Life Sciences & Healthcare (LSH) campus in Florstadt near Frankfurt am Main, Germany. The site’s transformation into a European pharmaceutical hub is part of a global multibillion investment in DHL Health logistics. With the addition of the fourth new state-of-the-art logistics center, the campus now comprises a total of 100,000 square meters of warehouse space. With a footprint in excess of 14 soccer fields, the DHL site will in future offer capacity for more than 140,000 pallets for pharmaceutical and medical products, serving international customers from the biopharma, specialty pharma, medical technology and clinical research sectors with more than 600 highly qualified employees on site.
The new climate-neutral “Florstadt 4” warehouse spans over 30,000 square meters and has been specifically designed for the storage and distribution of high-value pharmaceutical and medical products. It features multiple temperature zones, with the capability to reach as low as -70°C if needed. Particular focus is placed on the critical temperature ranges of 2–8°C and -20°C, ensuring compliance with the highest standards for handling temperature-sensitive products.
With its four highly specialized warehouses right in the geographical heart of Central Europe, the site offers ideal logistics connections and first-class infrastructure for the storage and distribution of sophisticated pharmaceutical and medical products. In addition, highly specialized services such as sample collection, support for clinical studies and the handling of biopharmaceuticals and cell and gene therapies are provided on site.
A further special feature on the premises is the integrated clean room which enables GMP-compliant processes for highly sensitive substances and raw pharmaceutical materials. This includes the handling of solid and liquid hazardous substances up to 1,000 liters – including active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) and samples of active ingredients as well as analytical and microbiological tests. The clean room adheres to the most stringent European and international pharmaceutical standards and is an outstanding example of the advanced logistics solutions that DHL offers its customers. With this further expansion phase, the Florstadt site is also consolidating its strategic importance within the global DHL Health Logistics network.
"With this fourth expansion, we are creating capacity for the future in Florstadt,” says Hendrik Venter, CEO DHL Supply Chain for Europe, Middle East and Africa. From here, we can supply customers not only in Germany, but throughout Europe – and beyond. Our central location in the Frankfurt economic region, right in the heart of Europe, the close proximity to Frankfurt Airport and the strong local infrastructure all make Florstadt a key location for our activities and our ambitious growth agenda in the Life Science & Healthcare sector," he confirms.
In his extended role as the Executive Board Member responsible for the DHL Health Logistics sector brand, Oscar de Bok, Global CEO DHL Supply Chain, sees the expansion of the Florstadt site as consistent with DHL Group’s overall strategic focus: "Florstadt 4 is a prime and concrete example of how we are implementing our Strategy 2030 – with investments totaling €2 billion by 2030, we are strengthening our global DHL Health Logistics network. Hubs like this one here in Florstadt near Frankfurt form the backbone of our end-to-end Supply Chain solutions, which we are increasingly offering customers from a single source. We are creating state-of-the-art, resilient supply chains for the next generation of therapies – from biopharma to cell and gene therapy. Our mission is to provide patients with the vital medicines they need, when they need them, all around the world.”
At the Florstadt site, DHL Supply Chain is focusing on end-to-end visibility, compliance, and digitalization – with daily operational processes supported by a warehouse management system that is closely integrated with the customer’s IT systems. This also facilitates efficient supply chain management for particularly complex and patient-specific products such as clinical trials or temperature-sensitive specialty medications.
Rainer Haag, CEO DHL Supply Chain Germany & Alps, confirms the importance of the location: "The Frankfurt Rhine-Main area is one of the most important economic regions in Europe. The fact that we are consistently expanding our largest LSH campus in Germany right here in Florstadt shows just how important the site is at the heart of our DHL Health Logistics strategy. As we expand, we are keeping an eye to sustainability and climate protection – the site is also a flagship project in terms of environmentally friendly operations.”
With climate-neutral operations, solar thermal panels, air source heat pumps and a comprehensive energy concept with LED lighting control and a photovoltaic system, DHL is pursuing a holistic approach as a Green Logistics Provider of Choice. The site’s DGNB Gold certification confirms these high environmental standards and the future-oriented planning of the project.
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