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Marketing products in Asia calls for special considerations given the smaller size and greater complexity of individual markets within the region. Zuellig Pharma’s pioneering Regional Distribution Center in Singapore answers principals’ need for efficient, flexible solutions.
Built on Zuellig Pharma’s long-time regional know-how and forward-looking services, the RDC was set up in the 1990s to fulfill the need for high-quality, integrated regional solutions. Strategically located in Singapore, which puts a market of over four billion within seven hours’ flight time, it offers management of the whole supply chain, tailored solutions, greater transparency, and many other benefits for principals and local markets.
Among the team members working at the RDC are experts in pharmaceutical logistics and transport, finance and IT enabling Zuellig Pharma to interface with principals in all relevant areas. This facilitates information-sharing and the development and implementation of truly customized solutions, including special handling needs, for optimum supply-chain efficiencies.
In addition to its location at the heart of South-East Asia, Singapore offers political and economic stability and an outstanding logistics infrastructure, with extensive air and sea connections. Efficient customs handling and liberal taxation policies are among its many pro-business advantages. The government’s drive to boost Singapore as a hub for pharmaceutical, medical technology, biotechnology and healthcare services businesses is another important factor.
| Regional Distribution Center Fast Facts |
| Order Volume |
Over 500 orders/month |
| Manual Redressing |
Capacity of 3 million units per month |
| Semi-Automated |
Installed capacity of 1.5 million units/month (covering labeling, shrink-wrap & inkjet printing |
| Total Warehouse Space |
180,000 sq ft (16,700 sq m) |
| Storage |
14,000 pallets (air-conditioned) |
| Cold Room Storage |
3 individual cold rooms with total floor area of 5,000 sq ft |
| Certifications |
ISO 9001-2000/GMP (HSA) (2003, 2005)/GSDP (SGS) (2005) |
| Others |
Cytotoxic repackaging capability (HSA certified)/November 2004
Innovative, highly integrated IT systems |
RDC regional solutions |
| Region-wide management of the supply chain |
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Processing of documentary requirements for import and export |
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Inbound and outbound freight and customs clearance |
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Storage, with air-conditioned environment and cold room (2-8°C) available
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Country-specific repacking services using the latest technology |
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Inserts, including removal of old insert, folding of new insert, putting insert into package |
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Labeling for inner pack, outer pack and poison label placement |
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Secondary repackaging (i.e. repackaging of bulk pack in blister into smaller pack size) |
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Ink jet printing for items of different shapes and sizes, that conforms to all country regulatory requirements, and manufacture & batch expiry date printing |
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Shrink wrapping
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Inventory management |
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Regional and country inventory information |
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Region-wide supply chain information available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through Zuellig Pharma’s zip-online system |
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Sales information by product, customer, territory, country and region |
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Inventory by SKU, location and country |
Benefits for principals |
| Principals can ship finished products in bulk from the manufacturing source to the RDC. Manufacturing benefits include: |
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Focus can remain on core activity |
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Improved operational flexibility in terms of space and personnel |
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Production of one SKU/product enabling SKU rationalization and larger orders/batches |
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Improved economies of scale |
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Less manufacturing downtime |
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Optimal facility utilization |
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Consolidated freight |
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Reduced administration |
RDC can repack and ship in smaller batches to meet individual market requirements on a just-in-time basis. Benefits for local markets include: |
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Shorter lead time enabling faster reaction to market dynamics and facilitating rapid launch of new products |
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Minimal inventory holding leading to lower working capital, reduced carrying cost, reduced risk exposure and higher inventory turns |
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Reduced obsolescence/write offs |
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