Big 3 Double Down on Health Care Logistics
UPS, DHL, and FedEx bet on a Megatrend
You know them as the Big 3: DHL, UPS, and FedEx. The kings of ecommerce logistics. Each nearing $100B in annual revenues, but all facing similar challenges. One of the clearest visions all three have given to the market is massive venture and investment into health care logistics.
Healthcare logistics, which includes pharmaceutical has long been a high margin specialized niche, but the Covid-19 pandemic thrust it into the spotlight.
The strategy makes perfect sense for many reasons:
Boomers, the largest generation, are nearing retirement
Advances in science and medicine are expected to prolong lifespans, with big bets on nanotech, cybernetics, and genetics poised to deliver potential breakthroughs
Boomers’ are the wealthiest generation with big expectations for healthcare spending
Good healthcare logistics is highly global in nature, requires control of infrastructure from airplanes to storage to distribution, mastery of compliance, and is increasingly taking a B2C shipment-to-consignee approach. The Big 3 were built for this kind of thing.
Build vs Buy
The most interesting difference is strategy is UPS and DHL’s “buy” vs FedEx’s “build” strategy. UPS has made 3 large acquisitions in 2025 alone while FedEx has not announced any acquisitions, but has publicly shared revenue milestones including $400 million in new annualized revenue in 2025, and $500 million in wins in 2024.
FedEx Highlights
First global integrator to achieve CEIV Pharma certification for ground handling across air hubs and ramps
130+ cold chain facilities worldwide
UPS Healthcare Acquisitions
1. Andlauer Healthcare Group (AHG)
Amount: $1.6 billion USD (CAD $2.2B)
Announced: April 24, 2025
Completed: November 3, 2025
Target: Leading North American supply chain management company specializing in cold chain transportation for healthcare
Significance: Expands UPS Healthcare’s cold chain and pharma capabilities across North America
2. Frigo-Trans & BPL
Amount: Not disclosed
Completed: January 8, 2025
Target: German/European healthcare cold-chain logistics providers
Significance: Expands global pharma cold-chain storage and transport network in Europe
3. Bomi Group
Amount: Not disclosed
Date: Recent (not specified)
Target: Multi-national healthcare logistics firm serving Europe and Latin America
4. Marken
Amount: Not disclosed
Announced: November 7, 2016
Completed: December 2016
Target: Global provider of supply chain solutions to life sciences industry, leader in clinical trials
Significance: Major entry into clinical trials logistics; Marken continues making sub-acquisitions
DHL Healthcare Acquisitions & Investment
1. SDS Rx
Amount: Not disclosed
Announced: September 9, 2025
Completed: November 7, 2025
Target: Provider of final-mile delivery and specialized healthcare transportation for long-term care/specialty pharmacies, radiopharmacies, health system networks (200+ US locations)
Significance: Adds final-mile healthcare delivery capabilities; second healthcare acquisition for DHL in 2025
2. CRYOPDP
Amount: Not disclosed
Date: March 31, 2025 (announced and completed)
Acquired from: Cryoport
Target: Leading specialty courier focused on clinical trials, biopharma, cell and gene therapies
Significance: Strengthens specialized biopharma transport for advanced therapies; first healthcare acquisition for DHL in 2025
Announced Investments
DHL healthcare has announced €2 billion (~$2.2 billion USD) to be invested over 5 years (2025-2030) to enhance life sciences and healthcare logistics capabilities, expand cold chain capacity, transform Florstadt campus into European pharmaceutical hub, add 20+ cross-dock facilities
