The pharma distribution giant is scaling its third-party logistics network across Europe and the United States, adding cryogenic capacity, new facilities, and enhanced cold chain services, to support rising demand for specialty pharmaceuticals and global market access.
Cencora—often known as being one of the “Big Three” wholesalers—is continuing to invest in its third-party logistics (3PL) services in both the United States and Europe, as a way to grow its specialty logistics offerings that it can provide pharma companies.1
This comes during a time when there is not only a rise in specialty pharmaceuticals, but a need for drug supply management.
The company is being assisted by NextPharma Logistics, a healthcare logistics provider that provides services spanning Austria, Germany, and Switzerland.
The aforementioned provider offers end-to-end supply chain services, including storage, distribution, serialization, and quality and compliance management; its temperature-controlled capabilities are backed by good distribution practice (GDP)-compliant facilities. The company is also expanding its specialty and cold chain infrastructure, with the addition cryogenic tech in the Netherlands, along with the increase of refrigerated and frozen storage capacity in France in order to deliver broader, pan-European support.
“Our customers trust us to serve as an extension of their operations. We continue to strengthen our pharmaceutical logistics capabilities through investments across our 3PL network to deliver enhanced support tailored to their needs,” commented Chris Williams, SVP and president of Alloga Europe & ICS. “Whether it’s a large-scale global program or supporting the launch of an advanced therapy in a new market, we’re able to provide the integrated support our customers need to navigate supply chain complexities, maximize commercial success and ensure efficient and reliable access to their products.”
And next year, Cencora is anticipated to unveil a 3PL plant in next year, having already made commitments to increasing on recent investments to expand storage services in France, Spain and the UK.
On the domestic front, a 500,000 square-foot 3PL facility in Texas is expected to be completed by 2028. This’ll mark its fifth third-party logistics plant, one that will be able to continue the storage of products at controlled room temperature, refrigerated, and even frozen levels, featuring ultra-low and cryogenic.
“Pharmaceutical companies increasingly seek partners that can provide comprehensive support across multiple markets,” said Alina Chesnokova, Cencora’s VP of global 3PL commercialization. “Through our internationally scaled 3PL service and suite of commercialization solutions, Cencora is uniquely positioned to support their needs, delivering integrated support to enable seamless expansion into new markets and ensure products are delivered on time and in the right condition.”
The latest developments follow Cencora’s November announcement revealing plans to invest upwards of $1 billion towards expanding, strengthening, and modernizing its US-based distribution network through 2030.2 These investment plans are headlined by the expecting opening of a second national distribution center located in Ohio, a 530,000 square-foot facility.
Plans for the center include advanced automation tech, including robotic handling systems, artificial intelligence (AI), and autonomous mobile robots, aiming to increase the efficiency and reliability of supply chain processes, with a fully operational date of Spring 2027.
“Healthcare providers rely on us to provide efficient access to the medications their patients need, and we’re able to deliver on that promise because of the robust distribution infrastructure and operations we’ve built through decades of investment,” said Bob Mauch, president & CEO of Cencora. “This investment underscores our commitment to and role in building a resilient pharmaceutical supply chain and in ensuring patients across the United States have timely and reliable access to prescribed medications, where and when they need them.”
References
1. Cencora Enhances Global Pharmaceutical Logistics Services, Cold Chain Capabilities. Business Wire. December 3, 2025. Accessed December 4, 2025.
2. Jacobus N. Cencora Reveals $1 Billion Investment Plan Enhancing US-Based Distribution Network. Pharmaceutical Commerce. December 1, 2025. Accessed December 4, 2025.
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