Atlanta-based UPS, a global leader in logistics, offering a broad range of solutions including the transportation of packages and freight; the facilitation of international trade, and the deployment of advanced technology, entered into an agreement to purchase Italy-based Pieffe Group (Pieffe Depositi; Pieffe Nord).
According to an UPS press release, this acquisition supports company's ongoing global healthcare strategy, which has seen the company make investments to better serve its growing customer base in the pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device industries.
The announcement follows the opening of five new dedicated facilities this year in North and South America, Europe and Asia. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Pieffe, one of Italy's most highly respected pharmaceutical logistics companies, is a family-owned business with more than 35 years' experience offering high-quality storage, distribution and cold chain solutions to some of the world's leading pharmaceutical brands.
"Pieffe is a perfect fit for UPS," said Jim Barber, president, UPS Europe. "The company shares UPS's focus on high-quality service and compliance, as well as our deep-rooted culture of precision and innovation. Pieffe will make a valuable addition to UPS's European healthcare network, and we look forward to welcoming their team to the UPS family."
In addition to the expertise and experience that comes with Pieffe, this acquisition also brings two major healthcare distribution facilities to UPS's existing global network, one in Milan and the other in Rome. They offer a combined space of nearly 753,500 square feet including 12 cold storage areas, with options for further expansion. This adds to UPS's global healthcare distribution footprint of more than 4 million square feet.
"This is a tremendous development for our company, our employees and our customers," said Federico Peruzzi of Pieffe. "UPS's renowned quality standards combined with its specialized global healthcare network will enable us to sustain the growth and momentum we've built up over more than 35 years, while ensuring our customers continue to experience excellent levels of service."
UPS delivers value to healthcare companies through a broad portfolio of specialized freight and small package transportation, as well as distribution services. UPS's existing healthcare network of 30 facilities worldwide offers services such as temperature-sensitive handling capabilities, regulatory compliance, monitoring and security, kitting and labelling, as well as order management and accounts receivable. These services are configured to help healthcare manufacturers meet stringent and often complex regulatory requirements, provide flexibility for a changing business environment and reliably serve an increasingly global customer base.