Improving Pharmaceutical Logistics: A Case Study of Unión Discount Pharmacies

Introduction

Discover how Unión Discount Pharmacies revolutionized pharmaceutical logistics in Mexico, leading to exceptional efficiency and growth in their operations. Learn about the challenges they faced and the innovative solutions implemented to overcome them.

The Birth of Unión Discount Pharmacies

• In 1995, Unión Discount Pharmacies originated in the border port of Centla Tabasco, subsequently expanding to La Chontalpa, the state capital, and the entire region of Tabasco.

• The need for professional warehouses arose in the Mexican southeast due to the growing demand for pharmaceutical logistics, leading to the establishment of the company in 2012 with the support of logistics partners.

• The motivation behind establishing professional warehouses was the increasing demand and growth of pharmacies in their points of sale, as the previous warehouse had limited space and imposed order restrictions.

Material Management Improvement

• The company realized that its current material management system was inadequate for the pharmacy’s requirements.

• They lacked expertise in deciding the appropriate material handling methods for the new layout.

• As a result, the company decided to seek help from consultants and selected logistics from Mexico due to their expertise and offered return on investment.

• The chosen consultants presented a comprehensive materials management project and the opportunity for the company to expand and improve their operations.

Efficient Solution for Distribution Center

• The deficiency in the supply of pieces for sale was a challenge during the design phase.

• The distribution center suggested using a WV MC that was well-suited to their needs, specifically for Manhattan skate.

• The solution provided efficient storage arrangement and assortment, reflecting in the current work on a new distribution center.

• Alignment of both systems, WMS and ERP, was crucial in the project, achieved through interface planning and a test matrix.

Improving Warehouse Productivity with New Systems

• The implementation of new systems has significantly improved the efficiency and productivity of the warehouse operations.

• With the new interfaces, the processes have been aligned to better suit the needs of the business, resulting in a 93% increase in productivity and a reduction in processing times by up to 50%.

• The acquisition of a more user-friendly WS system has made operations more intuitive, leading to quicker task completion and greater ease of use for the staff.

• The improved system has enabled the warehouse to receive and process goods in a third of the time compared to the previous processes, leading to more efficient order fulfillment and increased throughput.

Medical Logistics Expansion and Efficiency

• Médica Logistics has demonstrated exceptional efficiency and growth in its operations, with 40 collaborators currently supplying 200 branches on 70 routes monthly.

• The distribution center is set to experience significant growth, aiming to supply nearly 500 branches with over 200 monthly routes for Union discount pharmacies in the next 5 years.

• The company’s investment in logistics has proven to be valuable, putting them at the forefront of the competition and enabling them to conquer new goals and expand their operations.

• The efficiency of their operations has not only met but exceeded expectations, reflecting the success of their investment in medical logistics and management expertise.

Conclusion

The success story of Unión Discount Pharmacies highlights the significance of investing in innovative logistics solutions to achieve exceptional efficiency and growth. Their experience serves as a valuable case study for pharmaceutical companies looking to optimize their operations.

undefined