One of the world’s leading logistics companies, Kuehne + Nagel, has returned as supply chain solutions partner to Pharma Industry Awards 2019, which take place on October 24th.
Ireland has become renowned as a world leader in the life sciences industry, with all of the 10 top global pharmaceutical companies choosing to locate here. By the end of 2019, the number of those employed in the pharmaceutical and biotech sector is expected to have surpassed 30,000, further exemplifying the importance of the industry to the Irish economy. As the largest exporter of pharmaceutical products in the EU, logistics plays a key role in the sector’s success.
Support businesses, such as Kuehne + Nagel, are key to attracting pharma and biotech industry to Irish shores, with their efficiency and adaptability playing a vital role.
“Ireland is one of the leading locations for the pharmaceutical industry in the world and accounts for just over half of Ireland’s total goods exported, circa €64 billion,” says Adam O’Sullivan, national director of Pharmaceutical + Healthcare, Kuehne + Nagel Ireland.
O’Sullivan explains the expanse of Kuehne + Nagel’s capabilities and role within the supply chain; “We work closely with our customers in this space to stay abreast of the ever-changing needs of this industry, to ensure we can offer sustainable and compliant solutions. We have over 2,000 people in our global Care team who are trained GXP compliant professionals across our network that monitor and deliver consignments according to the strict and precise requirements pertaining to the industry. This means that every single touchpoint is only managed by a person who is an expert in GXP compliance. Moreover, we have a locally dedicated team who can analyse the risks within a supply chain and offset those in advance of a shipment moving through our network with the use of technology. In simple terms, the team analyse routes and modes of transport and advise pharma companies (before they send their shipment), of a better alternative in order to minimise the risk of temperature deviation, for example.”
“Quality is of utmost importance at Kuehne + Nagel and we have integrated high standards of quality into the heart of the operation of our business. Here at Kuehne + Nagel Ireland, we go beyond just the industry standards of quality. We actively invite our customers to perform their own audits at our premises, allowing them to inspect our quality standards and procedures first hand. Kuehne + Nagel was the first company in the logistics industry to be given IATA certification for its entire pharma air network.”
“We also continue to invest locally for pharma companies with a newly built bespoke facility in Dublin, which has been HPRA certified for temperature-controlled requirements. We have also recently upgraded our facilities in Cork to the same standards,” says O’Sullivan.
The company is passionate about improving all areas of the supply chain process and has established itself as a leader in logistics across many industries, with the pharmaceutical industry being no different: “It is critical for pharmaceutical products in particular to arrive at their intended destination in the same condition as they were shipped. The visibility of this vital cargo is of equal importance. For our customers to be able to stand over their product, they need to know where it has been on each leg of its journey, so traceability at every contact point is fundamental” O’Sullivan explains.
It’s this added value that allows Kuehne + Nagel to offer solutions to their customers that they don’t even know they need or want yet, ensuring Irish companies continue to have their competitive edge in the market.
About Kuehne + Nagel
Kuehne + Nagel Ireland are a global logistics provider of innovative and fully integrated supply chain solutions. Since 1890, Kuehne + Nagel operate warehousing and distribution services on behalf of the pharmaceutical industry, and today are the leading provider of this service for the pharma and healthcare industry in Ireland, with 23 of the top 25 pharma companies in Ireland as their clients. Kuehne + Nagel will return as supply chain solutions partner for the Pharma Industry Awards 2019 for a third year after a hugely successful partnership in 2018 and 2017.
Event background
Launched in 2014, the Pharma Industry Awards recognise those who are leading the way in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries in Ireland. With past winners ranging from large multinationals to smaller businesses and individuals, the awards are an inclusive night of celebration, to commend innovation and overall excellence.
There are 25 categories in total, including Pharma Leader 2019, Pharma Industry Company of the Year, Innovation of the Year, and the Operational Excellence Award. The event offers opportunities for companies that develop key therapeutics and drugs, CROs, plant production designers, engineers and their employees to have their achievements acknowledged. The Awards are run by BusinessRiver, who is also the team behind the Irish Laboratory Awards, the Fit Out Awards and the Irish Logistics & Transport Awards.
For more information on BusinessRiver events, visit their news hub here.
