Freight forwarder Geodis has opened a new cross-dock station and bonded facility close to Chicago O’Hare International Airport to cater for pharma exports and imports.
The 78,000 sq ft facility features a custom-built 5,200 sq ft temperature-controlled area and will provide short-term stowage and specialised handling for pharmaceutical products.
The temperature-controlled space is divided into two separate temperature-controlled zones.
The first zone measures 4,600 sq ft and offers deep cold storage at 15-25 degrees Celsius, featuring 27 ft of clear ceiling height.
The second zone, covering 600 sq ft, is rated for true refrigerated cold storage, maintaining a temperature range of two to eight degrees Celsius.
The forwarder said that it selected the location because of its proximity to O’Hare International Airport.
“This facility allows Geodis to maintain end-to-end internal control over temperature-sensitive healthcare cargo as it moves through the global Geodis network, which includes 170 countries and a growing map of certified facilities,” the forwarder said.
The Chicago branch is also a Certified Cargo Screening Facility (CCSF) for exports and has earned IATA’s CEIV Pharma certification, ensuring GEODIS’ facilities, equipment, operations and staff comply with the applicable standards, guidelines and regulations expected from a pharmaceutical manufacturer.
Chicago is one of four US branches with the IATA accreditation, and the first with cold chain storage capacity.
“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,” said Josh Jungwirth, executive vice president of freight forwarding at Geodis Americas.
“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 forwarder operates similar specialised cold chain facilities in locations in France, the UK, the Netherlands and Germany.
