Singapore Shines as Asia’s Bbiomedical Hub

Logistics Insight Asia - Industry News, 22/4/2008

TNT, leading healthcare logistics provider, reports 8-fold increase in business in Singapore.

Singapore’s continued development as a biomedical hub has led to significant growth in the area of express and logistics services for the healthcare industry. Riding on the industry’s growth, TNT Express, one of the world’s leading express integrators, and a leading service provider for the healthcare industry, today announced that its healthcare business has grown eight-fold in the past four years.

TNT shared this at the Biomedical Asia taking place at Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre, Level 2, from 14 - 17 April 2008. The company, which currently dominates over 60 per cent of the outsourced R&D logistics for the life science industry , revealed that its healthcare business grew by 68 per cent in 2007, making it the fastest growth sector for the international express integrator in Singapore.

The growth is most pronounced in specialist sectors such as Clinical Express. “Clinical Express saw the largest growth in our healthcare business. TNT is the market leader in Clinical Express services – a specialist form of express services which provides the right packaging, transportation and customs regulatory requirements to meet the specific needs of clinical trials. TNT was among the pioneers in this sector, and we continually invest in infrastructure, solutions and services for the industry,” said Damien Tan, Managing Director, TNT Singapore.

Growth in Regional Distribution Centres
Such investments have paid off for the express integrator. TNT’s largest life science-focused regional distribution centre (RDC) in the world which spans 65,500 square feet, was opened in Singapore at an investment of more than S$8 million in 2007.

Continued infrastructural investments to boost Singapore’s position
In addition to TNT’s tailored distribution centres, the company’s continued focus on networks ensures that it retains a market leading position in the healthcare sector. Last week, TNT announced it will invest euro 100 million (estimated S$215 million) over the coming five years to strengthen its network coverage, connectivity and infrastructure. The company announced the landing of TNT’s Boeing 747-400 ER Freighter in Singapore to enhance its freight offering between Europe, China and Southeast Asia.

TNT, www.tnt.com