On September 9, 2024, UPS announced the agreement to acquire Frigo-Trans and its affiliate BPL, companies specializing in healthcare logistics based in Germany. Once finalized, this acquisition will strengthen UPS's ability to deliver end-to-end logistics solutions for its healthcare clients in Europe, who increasingly demand precise and timely management of temperature-sensitive products. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2025, pending regulatory approval. Financial terms of the deal have not yet been disclosed.
Frigo-Trans offers a network of temperature-controlled warehouses that cover six different temperature zones, ranging from cryopreservation at -196°C to ambient temperatures between +15°C and +25°C. Among its core services is a pan-European cold chain transport solution, along with critical shipping capabilities and temperature control for pharmaceutical and biotech products. BPL, in turn, provides transport management services for time-critical and temperature-controlled shipments, with a specific focus on the biopharmaceutical sector. Its services include an extensive network of air and sea carriers to handle cross-border transportation needs, as well as customs clearance and temperature-controlled packaging solutions.
The acquisition will allow UPS to better meet the needs of clients with temperature-sensitive products, such as biologics and vaccines, further expanding its service offerings, which include inventory management, temperature-controlled packaging, shipping, and storage. "Rapid innovation in the pharmaceutical industry is driving the need for integrated and highly specialized cold and frozen supply chains. Frigo-Trans will enhance our portfolio of solutions, accelerating our path to becoming the leader in complex healthcare logistics," said Kate Gutmann, Executive Vice President and President of International, Healthcare and Supply Chain Solutions at UPS.
