Gütersloh, Germany: some 6,900 square metres of additional logistics space will be available immediately for pharmaceuticals and medical technology at Arvato’s site in Harsewinkel, Westphalia. Together with new client Santen Pharmaceuticals, a new logistics warehouse was officially put into operation today with cooling infrastructure for delicate healthcare products.

Over the past several months, some 4,500 square metres of space was created to allow for the growth of the international healthcare portfolio at the Harsewinkel site. Additional storage space for 8,000 pallets and an extended order-picking area of approximately 2,400 square metres is now available there. The new warehouse was designed and constructed specifically to accommodate the increased demand facing the healthcare market.

“Many innovative medications, especially those from biopharmaceutical companies, are particularly delicate and must be stored at temperatures ranging from two to eight degrees Celsius. To accommodate this, we have divided the warehouse,” says Christian Wolf, Vice President and site manager for Healthcare in Harsewinkel. One half features cold storage with space for approximately 3,000 pallets, whilst medications are stored and order-picked at temperatures ranging from between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius in the other half. Order-picking zones integrated directly into the cooling areas will allow for particularly efficient operation and streamlined processes in future. The goods remain in the appropriate temperature-controlled areas throughout the entire order-picking process and can be loaded directly into refrigerated vehicles via special ramps. This means the highest quality is guaranteed at all times. Short routes allow for quick shipment whilst guaranteeing compliance with the strictest standards for safety. Additional Arvato transport concepts to southern Europe are further expanding the network for actively refrigerated transport.

The regional government has approved the use of these temperature-controlled areas for healthcare products and the first goods have already been warehoused. In addition to incorporating new customers, a portion of the existing portfolio will be transferred to the new warehouse step by step in the coming weeks. “We are growing together with our customers at this site. The increase in volume meant things had become very tight in the existing warehouses. This move now offers us the opportunity to ship an even greater quantity for our existing customers,” explains Fabian Generotzky, Departmental Manager for Healthcare at the site.