Cencora
Cencora to invest $1bn in US pharma distribution network
Cencora is set to invest $1bn by 2030 for expanding its US pharmaceutical distribution network, adding resilience and capacity to support customer needs across the country. This includes opening a second national distribution centre in Harrison, Ohio and expanding facilities in California and Alabama. The centre will span 530,000ft² and become operational by spring 2027.
It aims to boost both throughput and storage capacity, incorporating advanced automation technologies, including autonomous mobile robots, robotic systems and AI, to improve supply chain processes.
On the West Coast, Cencora is set to open a 430,000ft² distribution centre in Fontana, California, with operations expected by 2026. This automated facility will be almost double the size of the current centre, featuring advanced tech solutions.
Cencora is also expanding its cold chain capacity at its Dothan, Alabama, distribution centre dedicated to speciality medicines. Speciality pharmaceuticals for rare medical conditions are projected to be 70% of new medicines launched through 2027.
Cencora president and CEO Bob Mauch stated: “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. This investment underscores our commitment to building a resilient pharmaceutical supply chain and ensuring patients across the US have timely and reliable access to prescribed medications, where and when they need them.”
The Dothan expansion will increase frozen storage by 200% and refrigerated storage capacity by 500% and is expected to be concluded by autumn 2026, boosting the company’s ability to manage complex speciality medications.
In October 2023, Zenith Epigenetics and Cencora signed an agreement to expedite the commercialisation of Zenith’s ZEN-3694 programme.
