DSV has invested in a new specialist healthcare facility in Northampton, opening in the spring of this year. DSV has over 20 years’ experience in the vertical, and this facility will further strengthen the logistics services they can offer UK companies, all underpinned by the global DSV Healthcare network.

The site will add key capacity in DSV’s UK pharmaceutical & medical devices market and will ensure the supply of healthcare products becomes more robust to the sector.

Read on to find out more about DSV and how it works to provide a market-leading logistics service in the UK and beyond.

 

Who are DSV? What do we do?

 

DSV – Global Transport and Logistics

 

In 1976, ten owner-operated hauliers joined forces in the small town of Skuldelev in Denmark and founded DSV – De Sammensluttede Vognmænd (The United Hauliers). Since then, DSV has evolved to become a world-leading supplier of transport and logistics. 

At DSV, we keep supply chains flowing in a world of change. We provide and manage supply chain solutions for thousands of companies every day – from small family-run businesses to large global corporations. Our reach is global, yet our presence is local and close to our customers.

More than 75,000 employees in over 80 countries work passionately to deliver great customer experiences and high-quality services. We aspire to lead the way towards a more sustainable future for our industry and are committed to trading on nature’s terms.

DSV is a dynamic organisation that fosters inclusivity and diversity. We conduct our business with integrity, respecting different cultures and the dignity and rights of individuals.

Our three divisions provide a one-stop-shop

 

DSV is organised into three divisions offering a complete range of services to support our customers’ entire supply chain: 

 

• Air & Sea – transportation by air and sea
• Road – transportation by road
• Solutions – warehousing and logistics services

As a freight forwarder, DSV does not own or operate transport equipment; goods are transported via our global network of partners and subcontractors (carriers and hauliers). 

1,500+ offices, terminals and warehouses worldwide enable us to be close to our local markets while taking advantage of a global perspective and network to secure the best possible service at highly competitive rates. 

DSV works with sustainability across all areas of our business, from air, sea and road freight to contract logistics. We have a range of Green Logistics solutions ranging from CO2 reporting and strategic supply chain optimisation to emission compensation and sustainable fuel offerings. Each solution is designed to reduce the carbon footprint of your supply chain.

 

From a local haulier to a leading global freight forwarder

 

Initially, DSV offered haulier services only and focused on activities within the construction industry. From the mid-1980s onwards, however, the business was quickly expanded to include other transport and logistics activities domestically and internationally. From 2000 onwards, with the acquisitions of the DFDS Dan Transport Group, Frans Maas, ABX and UTi Worldwide, DSV emerged as a global freight forwarder. 

In 2019, DSV joined forces with Panalpina, another global provider of transport and logistics services. In 2021, DSV acquired Agility’s Global Integrated Logistics business (GIL) and became the third-largest transport and logistics company globally.

From the beginning, the story of DSV has been a story of entrepreneurs with excellent business acumen and the courage to embark on a journey of continued growth. The DSV values remain deeply embedded throughout our global organisation.

Visit dsv.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

 

DSV Healthcare's global vision

 

What is our global expertise? How has our work impacted people around the world?

Senior director, commercial and support services at DSV Solutions, Patrick Turner, says: "We operate healthcare facilities across the globe, with 20 located in mainland Europe and coverage in APAC, Americas and South Africa. Not only that, but it’s a key vertical for DSV, where we have over 20 years experience and clients all over the globe.

"Improving healthcare and making it affordable and accessible to more people is a huge challenge, and one that requires an excellent supply chain solution."

He continues: "To meet the future challenges, DSV aims to:

• Provide more healthcare sites that are well situated and can adapt to changes in our customers’ needs.
• Develop solutions with our customers to ensure service quality and flexibility.
• Provide our healthcare customers with one EU partner for their supply chain to reduce complexity.
• Ensure sustainability remains at the forefront of our operations.
• Take advantage of technology and digitalisation to make progress in innovative and automated solutions."

 

What key projects have DSV been involved in?

 

Mr Turner goes on to say: "We have been constantly improving our healthcare platform, ensuring standardisation and compliance remain at the forefront of developments.

"Supported by Nouzha Ouaamar – global director and a pharmacist herself – DSV’s Healthcare’s global infrastructure and global quality system are well-suited to meet today’s complex logistics demands for the pharmaceutical, medical device and laboratory diagnostic industries."

He adds: "With over 20 years’ experience in the healthcare logistics industry, our team has developed industry-leading services in the segment, designed to meet and exceed the needs of our customers."

 

What does DSV’s future plan look like – what is your focus for the next two to three years?

 

"There's reason for us to be optimistic. The focus on growing the healthcare sector and a commitment to invest in new facilities, people and systems has been successful.

"Within two years, we will open another six healthcare facilities in the EU, making sure we will be able to accommodate growth of our existing healthcare customers and new business."

Mr Turner notes: "In addition to meeting anticipated local and regional capacity needs, the warehouses also incorporate best practices in waste management and energy conservation to improve the facility’s carbon footprint and environmental impact.” 

 

DSV Healthcare in the UK

 

What are we currently doing in the UK?

 

Stuart Evans, MHRA licence holder, senior director, operations south at DSV Solutions says: "The time is right to implement the next stage of our healthcare strategy for the UK.”

Mr Evans adds: "These plans were already in place and we have been busy fine tuning and completing those tasks.

"These include our facility in Northampton, which consists of 380,000 square feet. It is high bay – a new build, which is temperature controlled and fully compliant to good distribution practices for pharmaceuticals specifications."

Mr Evans goes on to say: "We are also planning for the first go-live clients who will transfer from our current MHRA licenced facility in Milton Keynes to Brackmills. This transfer will occur upon granting of the variation submitted to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) adding this site to our licence.

"All team members complete the DSV global GDP healthcare and compliance training programme. This training is for all our employees who, either directly or indirectly, have an impact on the integrity of healthcare products.”

"We have a centralised e-learning platform which defines specific training needs based on the job roles, and the completion of training is monitored within our central team and refresher training is conducted every two years, ensuring we have a highly skilled and compliant team to deliver to the needs of our customers. This is all underpinned within our quality management system and supported by our Responsible Person and UK quality department."

 

Why is this DSV’s focus now?

 

Mr Evans continues: "I would say this is an enhanced focus using the platform of our existing healthcare business to launch our growth ambitions.

"We already have a successful client base, but with our new facility and additional capacity we want to be able to provide our expertise to more customers. We will be ready by May 2023 and are already actively talking to new potential clients."

 

What challenges are we facing that are specific to the UK?

 

Mr Evans says: "Some of the challenges are generic in the UK and remain very current to all service providers. These are mostly related to inflationary pressures for wages and the actual lack of people available in the workplace.

"We are working very hard to ensure we are an employer of choice. Our company culture, leadership style and employee engagement initiatives are desirable to potential candidates and current employees. We will ensure this continues."

Mr Evans continues: "We also understand that political, social, economic and technological effects will create challenges and opportunities for us to assist with supply chain solutions."

"The ageing population, pressures from governments to invest in these areas and new thinking around the after-effects of COVID-19 and potential future recurrence, will mean the requirements for supply chain reliance delivered by us remains a top priority," Mr Evans concludes.

 

DSV Healthcare – Brackmills

 

What is Brackmills and why is it special?

 

General manager, operations south at DSV Solutions, Martin Lancaster, says: "Brackmills will be a specialist healthcare facility located in Northampton, which is an established distribution and manufacturing location. Northampton is home to many international businesses that are attracted to the area by its favourable demographics."

Mr Lancaster adds: "Our site is designed with the needs of our healthcare customers at the forefront, ensuring that we can provide a fully compliant, bespoke and tailored warehousing solution to the UK Healthcare market, all while receiving the highest level of service expected of DSV.

"In line with today’s sustainability expectations, the facility has also been rated Outstanding by the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method, has solar power installed, battery capture, rainwater harvesting and solar thermal hot water systems, as well as having net carbon zero build standards with electric vehicle charging facilities."

 

How will this change the current landscape of healthcare logistics in the UK?

 

Mr Lancaster goes on to say: "We are investing in expanding the DSV healthcare offering in the UK and globally.

"Due to increased demand in the UK during COVID-19 & following Brexit, it became clear that there was a lack of healthcare space availability in the UK and we will be in the position to offer a fully compliant, sustainable and competitive solution for healthcare providers."

 

How are we helping solve pharmacists’ and chemists’ problems in the UK?

 

Mr Lancaster says: "UK community pharmacy is core to UK healthcare provision as increasing levels of service previously provided by GPs moves to local pharmacy.

"We are adding capacity in the UK market to ensure the supply of healthcare products and medicines becomes more reliable and offers a competitive alternative to the established marketplace."

Mr Lancaster adds: "Our global expertise will enhance the healthcare sector and provide an integrated supply chain from worldwide healthcare providers to local UK pharmacies."

"A snapshot of our business in a few years will show a company that's not only on track with its own growth strategy in healthcare, but also supports its healthcare customers to be on track with their own supply chain strategy as well."