DHL opens dedicated life sciences hub to support Ireland’s €39bn biopharma sector.
Up to 50 jobs are to be created at DHL’s new 40,000 sq ft transport and logistics hub in Dublin, dedicated to supporting life sciences manufacturers.
The pharmaceutical grade facility is located at Horizon Logistics Park at Dublin Airport.
‘Our investment in Horizon also gives us the opportunity to provide supply chain services, which are fully compliant and managed within strict regulatory controls from start to finish’
– CIARAN FOLEY
The life sciences centre of excellence is fully approved by the Health Products Regulatory Authority.
Designed for life sciences
Building on DHL’s capabilities in supporting the global pharmaceutical supply chain, the new secure facility will enable pharma companies operating in Ireland to transit products through a temperature-controlled end-to-end supply chain management system. This includes storage, pick and pack, and inventory control.
The 40,000 sq ft of warehousing space at the DHL facility is segregated into different temperature regimes, including: ambient (15-25 degrees), chill (2-8 degrees), and a blast and holding freezer capable of temperatures of minus 20 degrees.
The latest numbers available from IDA Ireland indicate that there are now more than 120 biopharmaceutical operations in the country, out of which 40 are approved by the FDA to produce goods for the pivotal US market.
There are 29,000 people directly employed in the biopharma FDI sector alone, and nine out of the top 10 biopharma giants in the world are manufacturing in Ireland.
In 2015, the biopharma sector recorded €39bn worth of exports, and it contributes more than €1bn in corporation tax to the Irish exchequer annually.
The new facility makes Ireland the 43rd country in which DHL has built a life sciences centre of excellence.
“DHL has already established an excellent life sciences customer base and reputation in Ireland through its Air, Ocean, Road and Express divisions, and this new site gives customers access to a completely integrated global logistics solution,” explained Ciaran Foley, Ireland managing director, DHL Supply Chain.
“Our investment in Horizon also gives us the opportunity to provide supply chain services, which are fully compliant and managed within strict regulatory controls from start to finish. This is the cornerstone of DHL’s offering.”
