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| June 4, 2004 |
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UTi Worldwide is pleased to announce the acquisition of South African pharmaceutical logistics provider International Healthcare
Distributors (Pty.) Limited (IHD). The acquisition deepens UTi’s global capabilities in the pharmaceutical distribution arena
and further expands UTi’s contract logistics footprint.
Since its launch in 1993, IHD has grown to become the leading pharmaceutical distributor in South Africa serving end dispensers such as pharmacists, doctors, clinics, and hospitals, as well as wholesalers. IHD developed and implements a unique distribution model, that is supported by its information technology platform and employs sophisticated supply chain engineering and logistical practices to ensure the integrity of the sensitive products it handles, while lowering costs and enhancing profitability for pharmaceutical manufacturers. To meet the challenges of a changing healthcare industry, IHD has been at the forefront of innovations and new technology applications, including batch tracking of product from manufacturer to end dispenser, fully air-conditioned warehousing, stringent cold chain maintenance and the development of Futurewave, an Internet-based on-line ordering system. Each of the five IHD distribution centers, located in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Durban and Bloemfontein, features climate-controlled, state-of-the-art, leased warehousing facilities to assure proper storage and handling of client inventory. IHD provides a next working day delivery to customers in metropolitan areas surrounding its distribution centers and within two working days to outlying areas. Previously, IHD was jointly owned by 11 major multi-national pharmaceutical manufacturers, Abbott Laboratories , Aventis Pharma, Bayer Healthcare, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, MSD, Novartis, Roche Products, Schering and Wyeth. |
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