VTS Transport & Logistics has been the leading expert in temperature-controlled transport and logistics services for the pharmaceutical sector for over forty years. “With 350 pharmaceutical clients, including MSD, Pfizer, Viatris, and the RIVM, we provide essential supply chain solutions,” says CEO Patrick Esselaar.
VTS has locations in Boxmeer (the Netherlands) and Brussels (Belgium) with more than 500 motivated professionals at your service every day. They offer the pharmaceutical sector services such as transport, storage, handling as well as value added services such as (re)packaging and relabeling.
As an asset-based company, VTS manages a 100% temperature-controlled fleet and warehouses. “Vehicles are equipped with two temperature zones. In our warehouses, products are stored at temperatures ranging from -80 to +20 degrees. This way, we meet all requirements for the safe storage of pharmaceutical products, from ambient to freeze,” explains Esselaar.
The importance of temperature control
Temperature deviations can compromise the quality of pharmaceutical products. VTS takes this responsibility seriously by implementing strict temperature controls in their warehouses and vehicles. “We combine the professionalism of a multinational organisation and the personal involvement of a typical family business from Brabant,” says Esselaar. VTS is known for its advanced IT systems for real-time temperature monitoring, high quality, sustainability and outstanding performance. A reputation supported by customer feedback. “Our quality department carefully evaluates each vehicle, resulting in a delivery accuracy of 99.9%.”
Realtime monitoring
Real-time monitoring of vehicles and efficient route planning enable VTS to accurately track deliveries to hospitals, pharmacies, or directly to patients. Esselaar explains, “Using geo-fencing and strict temperature controls within the vehicle compartments, we can take immediate action upon deviations. When alarms are triggered, our control tower gets into action. Technical issues are addressed by our control tower and our drivers receive the necessary instructions. All of this ensures the precision of the delivery and the integrity of the product.”
Sustainability
VTS ambitiously aims to reduce CO2 emissions by 60% by 2030. All buildings are equipped with solar panels and use only self-generated electricity. A sustainability trainer enhances environmental awareness among the employees. Together with customers and partners, active efforts are made to minimize packaging and waste. Esselaar emphasizes the importance of technological improvement for the transition to a fully electric fleet, despite current challenges with battery range and cooling needs.
Robotics and Artificial Intelligence
Innovation is crucial for VTS’s newest Pharma warehouse, with a focus on robotics. This initiative makes horizontal medicine transport on pallets more efficient, sustainable, and less taxing on the staff. Robotics also facilitates efficient sorting of shipments, with automatic preparation of delivery routes.
“In our soon-to-open VTS 6 facility, we are integrating artificial intelligence (AI) for the automatic processing of orders. This improvement reinforces our commitment to efficiency, sustainability, and precision,” concludes Esselaar.
Source: Financieel Dagblad