GEODIS opens Chicago healthcare cold chain cross-dock hub

GEODIS has announced the opening of its first dedicated healthcare cold chain cross-dock facility in the Americas, located in Chicago, Illinois. The 78,000 square foot container freight station and bonded facility includes a 5,200 square foot temperature-controlled addition designed for handling healthcare cargo.

The facility operates as part of the company’s freight forwarding network and is dedicated to healthcare products, supporting short-term storage and handling for pharmaceutical air and ocean shipments across imports and exports. GEODIS said the site strengthens its ability to manage temperature-sensitive cargo across its global operations.

Chicago was selected for the facility due to its role as a gateway in the United States. Located near O’Hare International Airport, the bonded container freight station functions as a hub for air and ocean freight. The company stated that the site allows it to maintain internal control over healthcare shipments moving through its network, which spans 170 countries.

The Chicago branch is a Certified Cargo Screening Facility for exports and holds the International Air Transport Association’s CEIV Pharma certification. This certification covers compliance across facilities, equipment, operations and staff in line with pharmaceutical logistics standards. Chicago becomes one of four US branches with this certification, alongside Atlanta, New York and Los Angeles, and is the first among them to include cold chain storage.

Josh Jungwirth, Executive Vice President of Freight Forwarding at GEODIS in the Americas, said, “The opening of our first dedicated healthcare cold chain cross-dock in the U.S. demonstrates our commitment to the integrity and efficacy of the life-saving products we handle. By providing full visibility and internal control within our growing network of certified sites, we ensure that these sensitive air and ocean shipments are protected every step of the way. In the healthcare vertical, the stakes are uniquely high—at the end of every supply chain we manage is a patient. This Chicago facility is a milestone in our mission to be a reliable growth partner for clients who require the highest standards of care.”

The temperature-controlled section of the facility is divided into two zones to meet pharmaceutical requirements. One zone spans 4,600 square feet and supports storage at 15 to 25 degrees Celsius with 27 feet of ceiling height. The second zone covers 600 square feet and maintains a temperature range of 2 to 8 degrees Celsius for refrigerated cargo. The company stated that the facility is designed to handle temperature-sensitive medicines and healthcare products.

The Chicago investment expands the company’s cold chain infrastructure, which includes facilities in France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Germany. GEODIS operates across nearly 170 countries with 50,000 employees and reported revenue of €11.3 billion in 2024. The company is owned by SNCF Group.