Loading...
GEODIS has announced the launch of a new GDP-compliant, temperature-controlled pharmaceutical warehouse located near Manchester Airport. The facility is designed to support both inventory management and cross-docking operations, further strengthening the company’s presence in the rapidly expanding pharma and healthcare sector across the UK and Ireland. Operations at the site are set to commence on June 1, 2026.
The warehouse will provide capacity for 2,000 pallets and has been specifically built to handle sensitive pharmaceutical products that require stringent temperature control and regulatory adherence. It will feature dedicated short-term storage areas, including a fully temperature-controlled zone maintained at controlled room temperature (15–25°C) as well as chilled storage environments (2–8°C). There is also flexibility to introduce frozen storage if required. Additional features include designated returns areas and continuous temperature monitoring with 24/7 alert systems, ensuring product integrity while supporting both temporary storage and efficient distribution.
Positioned close to the M6 and M62 transport routes and in proximity to Manchester Airport, the facility offers efficient access for nationwide distribution along with strong international air freight connectivity. Manchester’s thriving life sciences sector and central geographic location make it a strategic hub for meeting the increasing demand for specialised pharmaceutical logistics services.
“This new facility allows us to provide highly reliable end-to-end solution for temperature-sensitive healthcare products. With advanced monitoring systems, robust compliance standards and strong connectivity across the UK, we are well positioned to support pharmaceutical and biotech companies with safe, efficient and scalable logistics solutions,” said Paul Morris, Head of Pharma & Healthcare Vertical for GEODIS in UK.
The operations will be supported by a validated Warehouse Management System (WMS) providing barcode scanning, batch traceability, full audit trails, and real-time inventory visibility to ensure compliance, transparency, and operational efficiency throughout the supply chain, whether for inventory holding or fast-moving distribution flows.
The Manchester site meets a wide range of international quality and security standards, including GDP/ WDA pharmaceutical compliance, as well as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 50001, TAPA, AEO, and Dangerous Goods certifications.
Additionally, the warehouse has also been designed with sustainability in mind, incorporating energy-efficient refrigeration systems, LED lighting, and waste-reduction initiatives.
In a strategic warehousing move, the South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), the second largest coal-producing subsidiary of Coal India Limited, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) for collaboration in coal logistics, railway rake provisioning under GPWIS and similar schemes, and integrated transportation services. Guided by the Union Ministry of Coal, SECL is rapidly working to improve India’s energy security and coal logistics infrastructure. The company is taking steps to boost coal evacuation efficiency and ensure a steady fuel supply to essential sectors. This partnership with CWC is a significant move in that direction. The goal of the partnership with CWC is to strengthen SECL’s coal evacuation capabilities by providing reliable and efficient rail logistics solutions to meet the rising demand from the power, steel, cement, and other sectors. The MoU outlines collaboration in various areas, including dedicated railway rake operations, integrated coal transportation solutions, multimodal logistics, first-mile and last-mile connectivity, and the deployment of digital systems for logistics monitoring and operational efficiency. Under the agreed framework, both organizations will explore provisioning and operation of GPWIS and equivalent racks, integrated rail logistics services, and long-term transportation solutions aimed at improving dispatch efficiency and reducing logistical obstacles. The MoU was signed in the presence of Harish Duhan, Chairman-cum-Managing Director of SECL, and Santosh Sinha, Managing Director of CWC. Functional Directors and senior officials from SECL, as well as representatives from CWC, attended the signing ceremony. SECL plays a vital role in meeting the country's growing coal demand. In the current financial year 2026-27, Coal India Limited has already surpassed the 100 million tonne production mark, with SECL contributing more than 26.8 million tonnes. Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC), a Navaratna Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Government of India, is a leader in integrated logistics and warehousing services. It has extensive experience in rail-linked cargo movement and multimodal transportation solutions. For more such news and updates, visit CARGOCONNECT.
Shadowfax is significantly expanding its quick commerce infrastructure, announcing plans to scale its dark store network from 15 facilities to 100 by FY27. The move underscores the company’s growing focus on hyperlocal deliveries, same-day fulfilment, and direct-to-consumer (D2C) logistics as competition intensifies in India’s fast-evolving quick commerce ecosystem. The Bengaluru-based company plans to add 85 new dark stores over the next fiscal year, targeting metro cities with delivery radiuses of approximately seven kilometres and fulfilment timelines of around 30 minutes. The expansion is expected to support rising demand from vertical quick commerce platforms and D2C brands that increasingly rely on third-party logistics (3PL) partners for rapid deliveries. According to company executives, vertical marketplaces are emerging as a profitable segment because of their dependence on outsourced logistics infrastructure rather than captive fulfilment networks. Shadowfax believes this trend creates a strong opportunity for scalable 3PL-led quick commerce models. The dark store expansion will account for nearly 10% of Shadowfax’s planned capital expenditure of ₹180–190 crore in FY27. The company is simultaneously strengthening its automation and artificial intelligence capabilities to improve operational efficiency. AI-led demand forecasting, automated slotting, and smarter sorting centre operations are expected to reduce overhead costs while accelerating breakeven timelines for new facilities. Shadowfax’s aggressive expansion comes on the back of strong financial performance. The company reported a consolidated net profit of ₹55.8 crore in Q4 FY26, compared to a net loss of ₹9.9 crore during the same period last year. Revenue from operations surged 73.6% year-on-year to ₹1,237 crore, reflecting growing order volumes and increased adoption of quick commerce delivery services. Founded in 2015, Shadowfax has evolved into one of India’s largest logistics and last-mile delivery networks, serving over 2,500 cities and more than 15,000 pincodes. The company currently handles millions of shipments daily through a technology-driven delivery ecosystem that supports e-commerce, grocery, hyperlocal, and D2C brands. Industry analysts believe the dark store expansion reflects a broader shift within India’s logistics sector, where speed, proximity-based fulfilment, and automated operations are becoming central to supply chain competitiveness. As quick commerce adoption accelerates beyond groceries into categories such as fashion, electronics, and personal care, logistics providers like Shadowfax are positioning themselves as critical enablers of ultra-fast retail fulfilment. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 https://cargoconnect.co.in/ 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!
Crown Worldwide Group has strengthened its India expansion strategy with the launch of a new integrated facility in Coimbatore, reinforcing the company’s long-term commitment to the country’s rapidly growing information and asset management market. Spread across a 4.5-acre site, the facility has been designed to support scalable growth, offering an initial storage capacity of more than 468,000 Standard Carton Equivalents (SCE) with expansion potential to 720,000 SCE under a planned Phase 2 development which will see addition of 45,000 sq ft. Commenting on the development, Jennifer Harvey, Group CEO, Crown Worldwide Group said, "India is one of our fastest growing markets and this new facility strengthens our ability to support clients with physical document and corporate asset storage, digitalisation, and information management solutions." The new site will support Crown’s information management, storage and digitalisation operations while also catering to its relocation and workspace solutions businesses, including refurbishment and reuse services through its Renew Centre. Tze Shen Kong, CEO - Asia, Crown Worldwide Group noted, “This facility significantly strengthens our ability to serve clients operating in and out of India.” Designed for high operational efficiency, the facility integrates advanced building management systems for real-time monitoring of critical operations including climate control, fire safety and electrical systems. The site also incorporates sustainability-focused features such as insulated construction, reflective roofing and green cover to enhance energy efficiency and environmental performance. According to Srinivas Krishnan, Regional Managing Director - South Asia, Crown Worldwide Group the new facility further strengthens Crown’s regional network while preparing the company to address the growing scale and complexity of client demand across South India.
