DHL strengthens LATAM life science and healthcare capabilities

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DHL Supply Chain – part of the Deutsche Post DHL Group – is to acquire control of the Brazilian road carrier Polar Transportes.

The transport service provider for the life sciences and healthcare industry is a specialist in temperature-controlled transportation and has been working as a service provider for DHL for over 15 years and runs a fleet of more than 300 trucks with national coverage.

The acquisition will support DHL’s growth ambitions in a key emerging market and strengthen its end-to-end offering for the life sciences and healthcare industry in Brazil. Both parties have agreed to keep the transaction value confidential. The transaction is still subject to approval from the Brazilian competition authorities.

DHL Supply Chain for Latin America chief executive officer, Javier Bilbao says: “Acquiring control of our longstanding service provider Polar Transportes is a great opportunity for us in offering an integrated end-to-end solution for the pharma industry in Brazil.

“We are taking one more step to further foster our strong position in a key emerging market, that supports our Strategy 2020.”

DHL Supply Chain for Brazil president, Mauricio Barros says: “This investment will allow us to expand our Life Sciences and Healthcare capabilities in the Brazilian Market. The temperature-controlled transport segment is one of the key elements in this industry.

“We strongly believe that Polar Transportes is the best player to support us in growing the business in this important area.”

Brazil forms the biggest economy in Latin America and the national healthcare sector grew substantially in 2016, achieving 5.1 per cent growth in volume and 13.2 per cent growth in sales.