UPS is upgrading its healthcare warehouse network by adding over 1.3 million square feet to space in key US markets.

The US healthcare warehouse and distribution space will total four million square foot by 2020, with the largest upgrades including a new 450,000 square foot facility near the healthcare campus at UPS’s Worldport air hub in Louisville, Kentucky.

A new centre in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania will measure 315,000 square feet and be located for reaching key northeast markets in one day.

It is near Swedesboro, New Jersey healthcare operations, the first facility to offer medical device services including autoclave capabilities, decontamination and replenishment of surgical kits.

Other cities to be expanding include Atlanta, Georgia; Colombus, Ohio; Reno, Nevada; and Tracy, California.

Key features of the new facilities include climate controls and validated cooler and freezers, secured areas for high-value speciality pharmaceuticals.

Darren Cockrel, president of global logistics at UPS says: “By increasing warehouse and distribution space and optimising multi-client facilities, our customers have greater opportunity to reduce supply chain costs, and get their shipments to the right places globally at the right time and in full regulatory compliance.”

In Europe, UPS has received Good Distribution Practice certification for pharmaceutical shipping in France and Germany.

It validates proper standards for shipping pharmaceuticals, diagnostic products and stable blood products.

Tom Page, vice president of UPS Supply Chain Solutions healthcare compliance and quality assurance says: “Our long-term strategy is built around four pillars that will continue to drive UPS’s success in handling critical healthcare and life science goods: quality assurance, visibility, control and customer experience.”