UPS has announced it is to acquire Andlauer Healthcare Group Inc (AHG), a leading provider of logistics and specialized cold chain transportation solutions for the healthcare sector headquartered in Canada, for approximately C$2.2bn (US$1.6bn).

According to UPS, the acquisition will extend the global portfolio of end-to-end cold chain capabilities available to UPS Healthcare customers, who increasingly seek temperature-controlled and precision logistics solutions.

“Next-generation treatments are driving more complexity than ever, expanding the needs of healthcare customers and increasing demand for the integrated, end-to-end cold chain solutions UPS Healthcare provides around the world,” said Kate Gutmann, EVP and president of international, healthcare and supply chain solutions for UPS.

“Andlauer Healthcare Group will help us deliver expanded capability to our customers, driving best in class patient outcomes while contributing to our overall growth plans across the business. This acquisition marks another important step in our declaration to be the number one complex healthcare logistics and premium international logistics provider in the world.”

Following the close of the transaction, Michael Andlauer, founder and CEO of AHG, will lead UPS Canada Healthcare and AHG to expand the businesses’ specialized capabilities and meet the needs of healthcare customers.

“UPS Healthcare and AHG employees share a similar customer and patient-centric culture with a relentless focus on quality,” said Andlauer. “Once the transaction is completed, the businesses will offer an even broader set of specialized logistics services to customers throughout Canada.”

Author Credits- HAZEL KING, Parcel and postal technology INTERNATIONAL