Schiphol introduces cargo eBook for pharma logistics managers

Dec 18, 2015: Schiphol Cargo, the dedicated cargo department of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol published the eBook “Vision Pharma Logistics 2020: Insights and practical advice”.

Pharma logistics professionals who succeed in transforming their supply chain will have a major impact on their organisation’s success. In fact, those who innovate best will position themselves to transform logistics from a cost centre to a true source of competitive advantage.

The e-Book is the result of interviews with seven experts in the pharma and pharma logistics sectors: Rinus Govers, Supply Chain manager at uniQure; Judith Schut, Supply Chain manager EMEA at Konica Minolta Medical; René Tjong Tjin Tai, chief executive officer at Dyzle; Nina Heinz, Global Head of Network & Quality at LifeConEx/DHL Global Forwarding; Ryan Viegas, vice president Supply Chain and Procurement at Watson Pharma (Actavis); Renate de Walle, director Product Market Group Pharmaceutical Logistics, Air France, KLM & Martinair; and Antoinette van Kempen, Lead auditor at SGS Netherlands.

Recognising the fast-changing conditions and regulations affecting pharmaceutical manufacturers when shipping their product globally, the eBook sets out to open pharma logistics managers’ eyes to the opportunities, warn them about the potential pitfalls of international transportation, and provide expert advice on engineering their supply chains up to 2020.

Schiphol Cargo has a history of proactive support for the pharma sector: it launched a unique Pharma and Life science Logistics Steering Group in 2012, which brought representatives of pharma manufacturers together with its own logistics community, government and regulatory bodies for the sharing of problems and solutions. It has also held pharma sector roadshows in India and the USA, and has organised pharma shipper forums at international logistics conferences.

Schiphol is an important European gateway for pharma traffic, which is significant both in volume and value. The airport community possesses sophisticated pharma handling and forwarding facilities. The airport facilitates safe and efficient pharma transportation via airfreight, by uniquely making direct airside access available to forwarders. Several forwarders’ facilities are GDP-accredited.

Schiphol Cargo’s Business Development director, and pharma logistics expert, Bart Pouwels says, “Today’s pharma logistics professionals face a market in the midst of major change and innovation. Pharma supply chains have grown highly complex due to multiple factors, including market expansion on both the supply and demand sides, and more stringent product quality requirements.”